ABSTRACT

This report presents results of re-excavation and reanalysis of unit 5276N 4790E, located on Ridge West 3 (RW3) at the Poverty Point site. Jon Gibson excavated this unit and others in 1991 and argued that RW3 was constructed rapidly. We test the fast construction hypothesis by applying new methods (micromorphology, magnetic susceptibility, sequential loss-on-ignition) and by obtaining new radiocarbon dates. Before construction, the ground surface beneath RW3 was cleared and occupied. Preconstruction deposits are composed of anthropogenically enriched sediments. RW3 was constructed in layers of mixed heterogeneous natural and anthropogenically enriched sediments. The surfaces of these layers were used briefly during construction. The goal of the builders was to quickly raise the ridge to its full height. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and artifact density data show that the top of the constructed ridge is buried 10 to 30 cm below the modern surface. The construction of this section of RW3 was exceptionally rapid. The ridge was built after 3355–3210 cal BP and was under construction by at least 3450–2975 cal BP. Analysis of existing excavations offers great opportunity for pursuing vital research questions while having a limited effect on the integrity of archaeological deposits at Poverty Point.

摘要

本报告介绍了位于贫困点遗址 Ridge West 3 (RW3) 的 5276N 4790E 单元的重新挖掘和重新分析的结果。乔恩·吉布森 (Jon Gibson) 于 1991 年挖掘了这个单元和其他单元，并认为 RW3 的建造速度很快。我们通过应用新方法（微形态学、磁化率、顺序失火）和获得新的放射性碳日期来测试快速构建假设。施工前，RW3 下方的地面已被清理和占用。施工前沉积物由人为富集的沉积物组成。RW3 是在混合非均质天然和人为富集的沉积物层中建造的。这些层的表面在施工过程中被短暂使用。建造者的目标是迅速将山脊抬高至全高。磁化率测量和伪影密度数据表明，建造的山脊顶部埋在现代地表以下 10 到 30 厘米处。RW3 的这一部分的建设异常迅速。山脊是在 3355-3210 cal BP 之后建造的，并且在至少 3450-2975 cal BP 之前正在建设中。对现有挖掘的分析为探索重要的研究问题提供了很好的机会，同时对贫困点考古遗址的完整性影响有限。