The 1997 Excavations at the Big Eddy Site (23CE426) in Southwest Missouri

Abstract

Extensive archaeological and geoarchaeological investigations at the Big Eddy site (23CE426) in the Downstream Stockton easement have documented stratified archaeological deposits extending to at least 4.0 m below surface in the central part of the site. This locality was utilized throughout prehistory, but perhaps most intensively during Late Paleoindian and middle Late Archaic times. The site also contains significant Early Archaic, Early/Middle Paleoindian, and possible pre-Clovis components, and has yielded the first reliable dates associated with a fluted point component in this portion of the midcontinent. Reliable dates also have been obtained for the Late Paleoindian horizon, which lies directly above the fluted-point horizon and contains abundant lithic debris produced by Dalton and San Patrice peoples. Based on sedimentological data, thin-section analysis, refitting studies, microdebitage distribution, and the intact nature of numerous lithic features, the early deposits at the Big Eddy site have very good integrity, Analyses focus on site formation processes and dating, carbon isotopes, an extensive lithic (principally chipped-stone) assemblage, a modest archaeobotanical data set, and limited faunal remains. Given the site's great significance and continued erosion, mitigation should be undertaken as soon as possible.

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