Taber Well Site (33HO611): A Middle Woodland Habitation and Surplus Lithic Production Site in the Hocking Valley, Southeastern Ohio, The

Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology, Spring 2008 by Peoples, Nicole, Abrams, Elliot M, Freter, AnnCorinne, Jokisch, Brad, Patton, Paul E

Conclusion

We have described the Taber Well site (33HO611) and its artifact inventory of chipped stone lithics, ground stone, pottery, and architectural postholes and hearths, which indicate that the site was for habitation. Chronometric data indicate that it was occupied primarily from the Late Archaic through the Middle Woodland periods. The general pattern of occupation is typical of sites along the main stem of the Hocking River, and is now confirmed in the upper tributaries of that valley.

Taber Well was located in dose proximity to lithic outcrops. Based on the high absolute and relative density of debitage relative to finished products at the site, we suggest that this site also served as the locus of surplus chipped stone tool manufacture, tools specifically produced as commodities, or items intended for exchange. Thus the creation of Middle Woodland alliances among small dispersed communities may, along with kinship and ideology, have been based on local economic exchange of necessary technology.

Acknowledgments

Officials at Wayne National Forest kindly granted us permission to conduct the Taber Well research; specifically, Ann Cramer greatly aided the research from start to finish. Field research funding was provided by Ohio University's David L. Hudnell Fund while the John Baker Foundation at Ohio University provided funds for the radiocarbon dates. Special thanks go to all of the field school students who worked tirelessly on the excavations at Taber Well. Sarah Weaver, Jacqueline Smith, and Megan Zimmerman assisted with the lithic analysis. Three anonymous reviewers and Jan Brashler generously offered invaluable constructive suggestions and editorial comments, which substantially improved the final manuscript.

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