Archaeological Geology of the Turner Site Complex, Hamilton County, Ohio

Abstract

For more than 150 years, the age of the Turner site complex has been based on the seriation of artifacts and geometry of the earthworks. Seriation failed to provide meaningful relative dates because it was based on errors in the geographic and geologic data of the nineteenth century. Newly interpreted geography, geology, and direct AMS 14C measurements indicate that the Hopewell village, Elevated Circle, and Graded Way predate the construction of the Great Oval, Mound 3, and possibly Mound 15 (ca. 1710 + 50 RC yr B.P. to 1850 + 50 RC yr B.P., ca. A.D. 53 to A.D. 537 calibrated calendar years at two-sigma). Radiocarbon evidence also indicates that the Turner earthworks were built during the Post-Holocene Climatic Optimum. Hydraulic features such as dams, ditches, and drains are likely examples of Hopewell pragmatic, economic, and ritual adaptations to the cool and dry conditions associated with this climatic event.