A Update of Archaeological Investigations at the Tyson Site (41SY92)

Abstract

In recent years, much of the research concerning prehistoric and historic Caddoan lifeways has focused on socio-political organization and community structure. Models have been proposed to predict the character of the archaeological record based on European observations of Caddo an life during the 17th-19th centuries. A brief review of these models is warranted to provide the necessary background for interpreting the results of recent archaeological work at an interesting 15th century site in Deep East Texas. Story and Creel have developed an integrative model to describe Hasinai Caddo "settlement patterns, socio-political organization, and intergroup interactions" based on ethnographic and archaeological data. The smallest component within their model was the layout of individual hamlets, with these being integrated into communities (as exemplified by the Deshazo Site). A number of these individual settlements --along with short-term use sites, community cemeteries, and a lesser political/ritual center (e.g., the residence of the caddi or village headman)-- reflected a "constituent group" in the next level of group organization.