The culture complex represented between roughly 24 and 53 inches
below baseline appears to be a manifestation of the Woodland Culture,
Orleans Aspect. The authors excavated several single component sites of
this manifestation in the area (Irwin and Irwin, n.d.). The following
artifacts, occurring in these sites and also in this depth range at
LoDaisKa, appear characteristic of the culture: cordmarked pottery,
corner-notched projectile points similar to those in Fig. 75, end
scrapers, drills, small ovoid knives, spoke-shaves, awls (splinter
or extremely small sliver types), large hafted “knives.” Large
projectile types could have been used with a spear-thrower. There are
also tubular beads, small stone triangles (possibly gaming pieces),
1 shaft-smoother, handstones and milling slabs. One decayed corn cob
was found at 53-57 inches and may belong to the Woodland levels at
LoDaisKa. This was a popcorn (see above). Dent corn has been found at
other Woodland sites in the Morrison area (Irwin and Irwin, n.d.).
Especially characteristic of this occupation was the pottery, small
ovoid knives, and sliver awls.
[Illustration: FIGURE 75—Artifacts from single component Woodland sites
in the Morrison area. Actual size.]
Establishing a closer affiliation is more difficult. In essence, much
of the material resembles that of Ash Hollow focus established in
Western Nebraska and Northern Colorado (Kivett, 1952a; Irwin and Irwin,
1957). Specifically, pottery of Class I is similar in composition, cord
application, thickness, rim styles, and absence of decoration. However,
Class II has several features reminiscent of the Keith focus pottery
(Kivett, 1952b) being a thicker ware with a more granular structure.
However, the Harlan cord-roughened pottery, assigned by Kivett to the
Keith focus, is calcite tempered and has no diagonal cord-marking.
Kivett has pointed out that clastics may have been used in areas where
calcite does not occur, or more desirable temper is at hand. The
absence of side-notched points in Woodland levels at LoDaisKa contrasts
with Ash Hollow focus sites where 30% are usually of this variety.
This constitutes another similarity to Keith focus sites, such as the
Woodruff Ossuary, where such forms do not occur. Class III pottery is
not present in Plains Woodland sites. It may be a local variation since
it is similar to II in all but cord application.
In connection with this complex, there is a C 14 date for Keith
materials of 611 ± 240 A.D. (Wedel and Kivett, 1956). For Ash Hollow
Cave tree ring estimates (Champe, 1946) place occupation at 1000-1150
A.D. However, a carbon sample from Woodland materials in the Denver
area yielded a date of 800 ± 150 A.D. (Hunt, 1954). Ash Hollow Focus
materials appear to share traits with both Valley (Hill and Kivett,
1940, Kivett 1952a, 1952b and Keith Foci). The authors feel the
manifestation at Morrison is basically similar to Ash Hollow but with a
few more traits in common with the Keith Focus.