GEOARCHAEOLOGY OF LATE PLEISTOCENE OCCUPATION AT THE INDIAN SANDS SITE, SOUTHERN NORTHWEST COAST

Geoarchaeological investigations at the Indian Sands site during 2001-2003, located on the southern Oregon coast, revealed a cultural occupation associated with an exhumed paleosol containing charcoal dated to 10,430 BP. A review of site stratigraphy and radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dating will frame discussion on the timing and paleoenvironmental context of early cultural occupation and provides geomorphic insights on where late Pleistocene-age sites may be preserved elsewhere. Additional discussion on the distribution of economically significant chert toolstone sources is offered as a means of locating other early coastal sites.