Archaeology of the Iron Mill Site

1984年至1987年间，弗里森博士和他的同事们在位于蒙大拿州东南部的古印第安人钢铁厂遗址（24CT30）进行了挖掘。该遗址的材料属于Goshen复合体，放射性碳年代在10,760至11,360年前（距今）。该遗址特别重要，因为它提供了鲜为人知的歌珊文化的优秀文献，而且它与密集的野牛骨床有关。丰富多样的动物和文化材料的性质将允许重建生存策略，古生态学，以及Goshen与其他考古确定的综合体的关系。弗里森博士和他的同事们将继续在现场进行挖掘和调查，并分析收集到的材料。他们将确定遗址的地质情况，尝试更精确的年代测定，确定野牛骨头沉积后的影响过程，并从土壤中收集植物遗骸。他们还将进行有限的调查和改进电子现场记录和数据处理技术。这项研究很重要，因为它将为史前北美的过去提供更多的线索。虽然我们知道早期的美洲原住民严重依赖大型猎物，但这种生存适应的细节却没有得到很好的理解。炼铁厂现场提供了相关数据。在更广泛的范围内，这项研究应该增加我们对简单技术层面的适应的理解。

Between 1984 and 1987, Dr. Frison and his colleagues excavated at the paleoindian Iron Mill site (24CT30) which is located in southeastern Montana. Materials from the site are assigned to the Goshen Complex and have been radiocarbon dated to between 10,760 and 11,360 B.P. (Before Present). The site is particularly important because it provides excellent documentation on the little known Goshen culture and because it is associated with a dense bed of bison bone. The abundant and varied nature of the faunal and cultural materials will permit reconstruction of subsistence strategies, paleoecology, and the relationship of the Goshen to other archaeologically defined complexes. Dr. Frison and his colleagues will continue excavation and survey at the site and will analyze materials collected. They will define the site geology, attempt more refined dating, determine the processes which affected the bison bones after they were deposited, and collect botanical remains from the soil. They will also perform a limited survey and refine techniques for electronic field recording and processing of data. This research is important because it will shed additional light on the prehistoric North American past. While it is known that early aboriginal Americans depended heavily on large game, the details of this subsistence adaptation are not well understood. The Iron Mill site provides relevant data. On a broader scale this research should increase our understanding of adaptation at simple technological levels.