Archeology is the study of cultural material remains of past cultures. When archeologists talk about cultural material remains, we are talking about artifacts such as projectile points, lithic flakes, ceramic sherds, ground stone, and in some cases adobe remains of a structure.

All of these past cultural remains can tell us a lot about a culture and how it utilized a site area. For example, when an archeologist is out surveying and comes upon a surface site s/he looks for association between the artifacts. In one area of the site there may be only ceramic sherds with ground stone, in a second area there may be only lithic flakes, while in a third area of the site there are complete and broken tools such as scrapers and projectile points. To an archeologist, these observations are indications that several things were possibly occurring at this site. In the area with ceramic sherds and ground stone it looks like plant processing may have been occurring with the ground stone being used to process the plants and the ceramic material being used to carry the plant material prior to and after the processing took place. The lithic flakes location is an indication that tool making was taking place at that location and the broken tool area may indicate that of a butchering or hide processing location.

The above general description has a very important theme and that is: Association, Association, Association. This is the key for archeologists to understand the function of an archeological site (this also pertains not only to prehistoric sites but also to historic sites). Archeologists need to know where artifacts are located on the ground to understand the function of the site. So when you are out in the field and you find prehistoric or historic artifacts PLEASE DO NOT pick up the artifact(s) and bring them to the archeologist. The best thing that you can do is describe the site and access to the site, plot the site on a map, take several photos of the site area and some of the artifacts, and take a GPS reading. By doing this you will have left the site intact for not only future visitors to the site but also so the archeologist will understand the Association between the artifacts and the archeologist won't have to give you a stern, but polite, reminder of the importance of the artifact association within an archeological site.

Thank you for your cooperation.

JoAnn Blalack, Cultural Resource Manager, will be looking for additional archeological sites this summer and also be organizing the park museum.