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

could not be determined (Wanser 1978). Funk
(1993:273, 1998a:60, Plate 27) indicates that a curved
line of 10 post molds was also identified in Zone 2 of
the Fortin I site. However, despite careful excavation
of the area around these post molds, the remaining
walls of the potential structure were not found.
A small lean-to or windbreak structure was identified
at the Ouleout site. According to Hartgen
Archaeological Associates, Inc. (1989:32-35), this
structure consisted of 15 to 20 small and large post
molds arranged in a semicircle that measured approximately
2-3 m wide. The prehistoric living floor that
surrounded the structure was strewn with small lithic
flakes, charred botanical remains, and pieces of calcined
bone. A carbon sample taken from the living
floor produced an uncalibrated date of A.D. 990±80
(cal 2 σ A.D. 899 [1034] 1256). Located adjacent to the
structure was a concentration of charcoal (which may
represent the remains of a hearth feature) and two
small pit features.
An important aspect of prehistoric settlement
research involves determining the function and/or
range of activities that were performed at these small
camps. These are determined largely on the basis of
the range of artifact classes, site size, and feature
types. The recovery of numerous projectile points, utilized
flakes, scrapers, and unifacially worked tools
from the Ouleout and Broe Pasture sites suggest that
the occupants of these sites were probably involved in
hunting and hunting-associated tasks (Hartgen
Archaeological Associates, Inc., 1989:49; Weide and
Murray 1974). The presence of a diverse floral assemblage
and large quantities of food processing tools
(e.g., bifaces, nutting, netsinkers, and hammer-stones,
etc.) indicates that the occupants of some sites
(including Street, Fortin II, Subi-136, and Subi-505)
were probably also engaged in tasks related to the
procurement of wild plants and fishing.
The Otego Yard site is the only large or long-term
camp included in this study (Table 11.3). This site,
which is located on a small alluvial fan overlooking
the northern bank of the Susquehanna River, produced
early Late Woodland deposits in Locus 1 and 4
(Hartgen Archaeological Associates, Inc., 1988:117-
120). Together, these two loci measured approximately
4,000 sq. m in size. An analysis of the artifacts from
this site suggests that activities associated with hunting,
plant gathering, and fishing, as well as other
domestic activities (e.g., cooking, repair of tool kits,
etc.), were being completed.
Small circular and roasting hearths were the most
numerous early Late Woodland features identified at
the site (Hartgen Archaeological Associates, Inc.,
1988:46-48). As exemplified by features 22C, 158, and
152, these small features ranged from 80-340 cm in
length and often were characterized by a reddened
and charcoal-stained soil. Variable quantities of firecracked
rock, utilized and nonutilized flakes, calcined
bone, charred botanical remains, and other cultural
materials were recovered from these hearths.
In addition, large pit features were also identified at
the Otego Yard site (Hartgen Archaeological Associates
1988:53). One of these, Feature 79A, measured 165 cm
by 125 cm in diameter and contained a depth of 68 cm.
Artifacts recovered from the feature included firecracked
rock, debitage, a biface, and utilized flakes.
Four Archaic projectile points were also recovered suggesting
that the occupants of the site were either curating
tools found on the site or earlier Archaic features
were being reused by the site’s Late Woodland occupants
(Hartgen Archaeological Associates, Inc.,
1988:53). Wood charcoal from the feature produced an
uncalibrated radiocarbon date of A.D. 1140±80 (cal 2 σ
A.D. 1027 [1224,1231,1239] 1379) (Table 11.2).
A few scattered post molds were also identified
during excavation, suggesting the presence of a small
structure at the site (Hartgen Archaeological
Associates, Inc., 1988:58). One of these features
(Feature 55) measured approximately 17 cm in diameter
and produced chert flakes, pieces of fire-cracked
rock, and a broken biface. While none of these features
have produced radiocarbon dates, the location
of several of these post molds near hearth and pit features
dating between A.D. 800 and 1400, may ultimately
indicate their use during the early Late
Prehistoric period.
The Hilltop site is the only industrial site identified
in the study area (Table 11.3). According to Funk
(1993), industrial sites are characterized by one or
more industrial activities (e.g., flint-knapping, hide
working, pottery manufacture, etc.) and are generally
occupied for a very short period of time (Table 11.1).
This site, which is located atop a steep hill overlooking
a tributary of the Ouleout Creek, was initially
identified as a workshop based on the predominance
of lithic debris at the site (Ritchie 1938:1, 6). Northeast
archaeologists have suggested that the recovery of
ceramics and other “non-workshop related items”
may indicate that the site was repeatedly occupied as
a small camp during the early Late Woodland period
(Funk 1993:282).
Unfortunately, we know very little about the internal
structure of this site. Although large quantities of
lithic debris are reported within an area measuring
216 Rieth