Between 1984 and 1987, Dr. Frison and his colleagues excavated at the paleoindian Iron Mill site (24CT30) which is located in southeastern Montana. Materials from the site are assigned to the Goshen Complex and have been radiocarbon dated to between 10,760 and 11,360 B.P. (Before Present). The site is particularly important because it provides excellent documentation on the little known Goshen culture and because it is associated with a dense bed of bison bone. The abundant and varied nature of the faunal and cultural materials will permit reconstruction of subsistence strategies, paleoecology, and the relationship of the Goshen to other archaeologically defined complexes. Dr. Frison and his colleagues will continue excavation and survey at the site and will analyze materials collected. They will define the site geology, attempt more refined dating, determine the processes which affected the bison bones after they were deposited, and collect botanical remains from the soil. They will also perform a limited survey and refine techniques for electronic field recording and processing of data. This research is important because it will shed additional light on the prehistoric North American past. While it is known that early aboriginal Americans depended heavily on large game, the details of this subsistence adaptation are not well understood. The Iron Mill site provides relevant data. On a broader scale this research should increase our understanding of adaptation at simple technological levels.
