Stratigraphy and Chronology in the 1971–1977 Field Data

Abstract

Within the large incomplete circular element of the Seip Earthworks(33Ro40), a complex set of cultural remains were built and used in a small but crowded area approximately half way between a portion of the circular wall and Seip-Pricer Mound (Baby and Langlois 1979: Figure 4.2; Frontpiece, this volume; Otto, this volume). The focus of this chapter is on the structures recovered by the Ohio Historical Society (OHS) from 1971 to 1977. The general construction method used for all seven structures reflects that found in other Ohio Hopewell wooden structures. At some point in time each structure was taken down (decommissioned) and covered by a small mound composed of natural soils mixed with cultural debris. Some mounds also had a second overlying gravel stratum. Prior to the 1930s when the area became a state memorial, plowing impacted all the low mounds and even touched some activity floors. Structural ground plans, interior features, and mound strata vary. Examples of the latter are presented below in discussing the internal construction of each mound and possible relationships among them based on stratigraphic relationships and radiocarbon dates from both OHS field work and from later excavations in the area by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (1980–1982) and Arizona State University (2005). As background for the discussion, a summary of the OHS field procedures is given.