A Comparison of Artifacts and Activities among Mound Area Contexts at Town Creek, A Mississippian Site in Piedmont North Carolina

Abstract

Mississippian chiefdoms of the southeastern United States have commonly been characterized by the presence of large towns, a dependence upon maize-agriculture, and the presence of large platform mounds. Research regarding the role of platform mounds within these societies has been particularly intensive, and interpretations regarding the use of these mounds have varied. The major premise of this thesis is to determine variation among mound contexts at Town Creek by utilizing comparative indices. These comparisons found important differences in the activities represented in a premound midden, two mound-flank middens, and contexts associated with mound-summit structures. Also, a radiocarbon date of A.D. 1285-1400 was obtained for one of the flank middens, which is consistent with a previous interpretation of when mound construction began at the site. This date will help refine the site's existing mound-construction chronology.