The method and objectives of this monograph can best be understood in
relation to the nature of the stratigraphic situation. Therefore, it
appears desirable to present first a basic and unelaborated view of
the stratigraphy which will be discussed more fully later. As shown in
Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, there were four levels of natural stratigraphy.
When excavation of the test trench and adjoining pits was finished,
it appeared that only the lowest could be correlated with any single
culture. However, the others were useful in intra-site correlation.
This lowest level (four) was a bed of indefinite depth, composed of
gravel and boulders of Late Wisconsin age (Hunt, this report). Above
it lay a homogeneous deposit (level three) consisting of sand and
silt mixed with cultural debris, from 54 to 63 inches thick. About
three-fourths of the way up there was a scatter of rather large rocks
and gravel, which appears to represent some kind of maximum inwash or
roof-fall into the site. The next natural level (two) is of reddish
sand, a maximum of one foot thick, with very sparse cultural materials.
This red sand layer is considerably thicker in the southern end of
the site than elsewhere, tapering off gradually to the north till it
disappears about on line H. The same is true of the top layer (one),
a bed of dusty brown fill about four inches thick in the main part of
the site, showing a slightly greater intensity of occupation. Together
these produce a floor sloping down toward the north. The whole unit
finally was overlain by a layer of cow dung.
The authors recognize several occupations or cultural units at the
site. The first is confined to the lowest geological layer, and
appears to represent remnants of an Early Lithic stage on the Plains.
The second has roots in the Great Basin and is confined to the
third geological layer. It is represented in its purest form from
the beginning of the third natural level to about 72 inches below
the baseline. However, some types characteristic of this occupation
continue upwards, tapering off slowly and disappearing at about 53
inches below baseline. The third unit represents a Plains oriented
culture, beginning at about 72 inches below the baseline and extending
to about 53 inches. The fourth occupation is a variant of Plains
Woodland Culture extending from about 53-30 inches below baseline. The
final occupation begins at about 48 inches and extends to the surface.
The authors feel that it represents a variant of the Fremont Culture of
Utah and western Colorado.
[Illustration: Legend]
[Illustration: PROFILE No. 1 LODAISKA SITE