Context and spatial organization of the Clovis assemblage from the Topper site, South Carolina

Abstract

This paper reports results of a 40 sq m block excavation of the Clovis assemblage from the Topper site, South Carolina. Topper is one of only three buried, extensively excavated Clovis quarry-related sites in North America. The Clovis assemblage was recovered in a buried component distinct from overlying Archaic and Woodland components. The site geomorphology and formation processes and the horizontal distribution of the assemblage are used to identify a workshop floor with discrete knapping loci created by unique production and use goals. The excavated assemblage from Topper provides useful and important information in order to reinterpret the Clovis occupation of the Southeast. Moreover, spatial patterning from Topper shows Clovis people organized and structured onsite activities at quarry-related sites.

Keywords:

• Clovis
• knapping workshop
• spatial analysis
• activity loci
• lithics

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Archaeology program at the National Science Foundation (grant #078592789). I greatly appreciate David L. Carlson for his mentorship in exploring R and spatial analysis. Ted Goebel provided helpful comments and feedback; I greatly appreciate his time. I thank Albert Goodyear and Tom Pertierra of SEPAS Inc., associated with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology, for the opportunity to work at Topper and all the dedicated Topper volunteers, especially Joan and Ernie Plummer, Ann and Bill Covington, DuVal Lawrence, Connie White, Glen Bower, Terry Hines, Carol Reid, Bill Lyles, and John and Allison Simpson for all their hard work. Special thanks to Shane Miller, Erik Johanson, Doug Sain, Adam Russell, Derek Anderson, and Sarah Walters. Finally, I thank Thomas Jennings.

Ashley M. Smallwood (Ph.D. 2011, Texas A&M University) is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and the Director of the Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory at the University of West Georgia. She studies Clovis technology in the Southeast United States, with a focus on the adaptive context of biface production. Her current research focuses on identifying the signatures of southeastern Paleoindian technology and the organization of the lithic industry in order to culturally define Paleoindian lifeways.