THE LATE PLEISTOCENE AND HOLOCENE STRATIGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE DAVIDSON RIVER IN THE BLUE RIDGE PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCE

A geoarchaeological investigation on the floodplain of the Davidson River near Brevard, NC recorded the late Pleistocene and Holocene stratigraphy of this Blue Ridge drainage basin. The archaeological site is located on an alluvial fan that forms an elevated terrace on the edge of the floodplain. This is a low energy depositional environment where sediment is deposited during flood events. Holocene sedimentation rates averaged 14 cm/kyr between 9440 B.P. and 2500 B.P.

Late Pleistocene deposits (113-160 cm) consist of medium to very fine sand interpreted to be interbedded traction deposits and suspension deposits. Holocene deposits (0-113 cm) consist of silty fine to very fine sand and are interpreted to be suspension deposits. A paleosol is present in the middle of the Holocene section (56-66 cm) and charcoal from a lower paleosol (100-113 cm) was dated at 9440 B.P. Two older paleosols occur below this in the Late Pleistocene bedded sands. The only occupation surface identified occurred just below the plow zone at a depth of 18 cm. Charcoal from a hearth along this occupation surface was dated at 2500 B.P.

The coarser late Pleistocene deposits are interpreted to be deposited by large floods possibly reflecting climate conditions during the last glacial period. Three of the four paleosols were preserved in late Pleistocene and early Holocene deposits. The interpreted suspension deposits were formed during a milder Holocene climate. An increase in mean grain size and percent sand from 66 to 100 cm could correlate with an increase in summer tropical storms in the southeastern United States during the mid-Holocene.

Late Pleistocene and Holocene climate change in the southeastern United States may be reflected in the sedimentology of this stratigraphic section. Data from additional sites is needed to test this correlation. Although cultural materials were limited to one occupational horizon at this site, a complete Holocene archaeological record could be preserved in similar low energy depositional environments in Blue Ridge drainage basins.