Identifier

etd-04112005-150711

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography and Anthropology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The King George Island Mounds site (16LV22) is one of four conical mound sites located along the lower Amite River in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. Gagliano originally reported the site in 1957 as containing two conical mounds. Initially, it was postulated that the Lower Amite River mounds might date to the Marksville period based on the similarities of shape. Recent research conducted at the site indicates that the site may contain up to five conical mounds that date to the Late Archaic period. Geomorphological, pedological, and archaeological data indicate an initial Archaic occupation. Archaic period artifacts were recovered from excavations above, in, and below a buried A horizon at the King George Island Mounds site. These included exotic lithic materials, dart points, four-sided drills, pebble-pointed hammerstones, and microlithic drills. Radiocarbon dates of the buried A horizon in the ridge provide a Late Archaic terminus post quem for activity at the site. Despite the recent research, site function remains unclear. The lack of evidence of residential features may indicate that the King George Island Mounds site served ceremonial and/or territorial functions.

Date

2005

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Rebecca Saunders

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1152

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