What about Behavior?: Methodological Implications for Rockshelter Excavation and Spatial Analysis

Abstract

Traditionally, archaeologists have used excavation data from Pennsylvania rockshelters to establish local and regional chronologies; however, these data sets do not lend themselves to behavioral or formational interpretations due to the scale of recovery resolution used. Behaviorally indicative evidence is apparent in contiguous block excavations using analytic units measuring 50 cm × 50 cm × 5 cm for lot collection. At least three specific behaviors—hunting gear maintenance, bone processing, and activity area maintenance—can be recovered from analytic units that result in structured spatial patterning that goes undetected at 1 m collection resolution. Behaviors universal to hunter-gatherers are indicated by the distributions of small artifacts (< 1 cm) of various classes. A current challenge in the discipline of archaeology is relating behavioral theory to the interpretation of structured remains of prehistoric hunter-gatherer occupations. This research highlights these behaviors and the relevant literature pertaining to their archaeological spatial signatures.