Northeast Subsistence-Settlement Change: A.D. 700 –1300

ased on diagnostic artifacts (e.g., ceramics, projectile
points, etc.) recovered from features and/or living
floor contexts.
Three of the thirteen sites in this study also produced
multiple occupations dating to the period A.D.
700-1300. For the purpose of this study, I have chosen
to treat each of these occupations as its own unit.
Therefore, it is important to note that in the following
sections, the settlement and subsistence characteristics
that are described relate to a specific occupation
and do not necessarily represent the overall patterns
of the site.
Settlement Patterns
Settlement patterns are “the arrangement of sites
across the landscape, their place in specific seasonal
economic systems, and their internal structure” (Funk
and Rippeteau 1977:38). Despite their small size, sites
in the Oneonta-Worchester area were used for several
different functions and exhibit a wide range of settlement
attributes. A summary of the settlement features
of these sites is presented in Table 11.3.
The majority of the sites were identified as camps
(Table 11.3). Campsites are described by Funk
(1993:281) as general habitation sites that contain
large quantities of refuse and numerous features
(Table 11.1). Large (or long-term) camps often measure
more than a half acre (2,016 sq. m) in size and are
generally characterized by a wide range of activities.
Small (or short-term) camps are much smaller and
have less refuse and fewer features than large camps.
These sites are occupied for a shorter period of time
and can often be associated with a narrow range of
activities, such as hunting or nut gathering.
Small camps dating to the late Middle and early
Late Woodland Periods were identified at the Street,
Fortin II, Ouleout, Hudson Lake, Sternberg, Muehl,
Adequentaga, Subi-505, Subi-136, and Broe Pasture
sites (Table 11.3). With the exception of the Subi-505,
Subi-136, and Sternberg sites, all of these small camps
measure less than 2,016 sq. m and fewer than three
features were identified. Although these sites encompass
a greater area, each are described here as small
camps due to the limited range of activities and small
number of features that have been identified.
There does not appear to be a significant change in
the size of these small camps over time. Instead, the
primary differences between these sites appear in the
number and types of features. As shown in Table 11.3,
all of the late Middle Woodland sites in the region
produced only a single feature. At four of these sites,
this feature was a small hearth, while at the fifth, this
feature consisted of a series of small post molds. In
comparison, early Late Woodland camps often contained
multiple features, such as hearths, living floors,
activity areas, storage pits, and post molds. As discussed
below, these differences suggest that the prehistoric
occupants of the region were using these sites
in different ways.
The location of sites across the landscape is also an
important attribute of prehistoric settlement systems.
Of particular importance is the location of the sites
along the valley floor, valley walls, and in upland
areas. According to Funk (1993a:65-68), valley floor
sites can be found along major waterways in areas
that are flat and have an elevation of less than 330 m
(1,100 ft). Examples of valley floor sites discussed in
this chapter include Fortin II, Street, and Sternberg.
Valley wall sites can be found in areas with a more
diverse topography and include sites located along
the steeply rising slopes as well as sites located in the
small stream valleys. Such sites are often found at elevations
of 330-450 m (1,100-1,500 ft) (Funk 1993a:68).
Examples of valley wall sites include Subi-505, Subi-
136, and Otego Yard. Upland sites are found in areas
with elevations ranging from 450-900 m (1,500 to
3,000 ft). Unlike the valley floor and valley wall sites,
upland areas often display abrupt changes in elevation
and topography caused by the alternation of erosion-resistant
bedrock knolls and hills. Examples of
upland sites include the Hilltop and Ouleout sites.
In the Oneonta-Worchester area, late Middle
Woodland camps are most commonly located along
the floodplains and terraces that align the valley floor
and walls (Table 11.3). Although early Late Woodland
camps continue to be located in these areas, sites in
upland areas appear to have been more commonly
occupied. As shown in Table 11.3, many of these
upland sites are located along secondary waterways
such as the Schenevus River and Ouleout Creek. The
concentration of late Middle and early Late Woodland
sites on the valley floor and valley walls near the junction
of the Susquehanna and Schenevus Creeks is
probably not accidental, but related to the use of the
area as an important fishing and deer aggregation site
(Funk 1993; Versaggi 1987).
Limited evidence of prehistoric architecture has
been recovered from these small sites. A few post
molds were reportedly identified at Subi-136.
However, given the limited excavations at this site, the
final dimensions of this Middle Woodland structure
214 Rieth