archaeological data recovery at the bayou des famillies site
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ESI conducted archeological data recovery at a Mississippi period shell midden, the Bayou des Familles site (16JE218), in the Barataria Basin for the New Orleans District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in 1994. Fieldwork was divided into two phases. Phase I consisted of site mapping and sample excavations. Primary and secondary grid baselines were established across the site for the purpose of creating a topographic map. Permanent reference points were established and tied into two data located off the site. A total of 28 randomly-placed 1 x 1 m excavation units were excavated by hand. These units were excavated by natural strata, and each stratum was subdivided into levels not exceeding 5 cm in thickness. Soil from these units was water-screened through 1/4" mesh.
Two 10-liter flotation samples were taken from the midden in each test unit whenever possible. In addition, all features but one (which yielded 30 liters of fill) were floated in their entirety. The flotation samples were processed on site using SMAP-type flotation tanks. Both light and heavy fractions were saved and were used for the analyses of fauna, flora, and shell.
After the completion of Phase I field work, a site map was prepared showing the locations of natural and cultural features and the locations of all excavations units. This map also showed the proposed locations for mechanical stripping and for exploratory trenches to be excavated during Phase II.
Phase II of the field work consisted of the mechanical block excavations of 500 square meters. The first stage included the removal of the topsoil overlying the shell midden. The area was then shovel shaved and examined for features. After documentation and removal of all features for flotation, the remaining shell midden matrix was mechanically removed. Again, features discovered during this second stage were documented and removed for flotation.
Radiocarbon dates indicate that the site was occupied during the interval ca. A.D. 1300-1500. No structural features were uncovered at the site, although numerous hearth-like features were present. Rangia shells were the most abundant faunal remains, but deer, muskrat, opossum, rabbit, turtle, and fish were all represented. Floral remains included maize, cane, and unidentified seeds and wood fragments. Analyses of ceramics, faunal material, and paleoethnobotanical remains from the site suggest that 16JE218 was occupied for a short period of time, and that these occupations were probably seasonal in duration.