Michlovic With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Michael Michlovic and his colleagues will conduct archaeological excavation at the Rustad Quarry Site which is located in southeastern North Dakota. The site is situated in an active soil quarry and much of it has been destroyed by quarrying work. The portion which remains intact however, contains a large sample of well preserved cultural materials including stone tools as well as bone - primarily bison. Several hearths are also present and these suggest the possibility of reconstructing specific site specific behaviors. A date of 7240 BP (Before Present) has been obtained and this, together with the nature of the lithic material indicates that the Rustad site was occupied during the warm Altithermal period. Dr. Michlovic and his students will complete excavation of the remaining portion of the site. Specialists will analyze the animal bone to reconstruct hunting and butchering patterns. The lithic material will be analyzed in an attempt to match rock with source areas. In this way group range can be estimated. The team will also employ a series of techniques, including soil, pollen and phytolith analysis, to reconstruct the prehistoric landscape and environment. This research is important for several reasons. It will increase our understanding of the prehistory of the United States. Very few rich sites have been found which date to the Altithermal and the results of this work will be of interest to many archaeologists. Altithermal conditions resulted in drought over much of the midwest and it is unclear how hunting and gathering societies at a simple level of technology adapted to such an environment. The Rustad Quarry data should help to address this question. Dr. Michlovic teaches at an undergraduate institution. Many students are involved in the work and the project will provide a direct, hands-on scientific experience. ***
