A PRESENT FROM THE PAST: SEDIMENTOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT IN THE BUFFALO RIVER VALLEY

This study focuses on landscape evolution in the area now occupied by the MSUM Regional Science Center (“RSC”) in West-Central Minnesota, a few miles west of Hawley, MN. The geomorphic history of localities plays an important role in occupation and land use over time. Working in conjunction with the MSUM Archaeology department, sedimentological analyses of pit excavations, description of river cuts, examination of sediment cores collected throughout the RSC, and sieve analysis of bulk sediment samples has been completed. Soil in this area is a prairie mollisol derived from aeolian sediments resulting in a sandy loam. Fluvial gravels lie directly beneath the aeolian sands and are underlain by sediments interpreted as offshore bar forms. These sediments lie just to the west of a major shoreline deposit and may have an influence on the paleotopography.

Understanding paleotopography may enhance the ability to predict the location of archeological sites. Buried soil horizons and partially developed soil horizons have been identified by field examination of excavated profiles and these may be important for the recovery of artifacts. Proximity of fluvial gravels appear to act as an erosional barrier allowing for the preservation of paleotopographic highs. Both OSL and C-14 dates are being analyzed to build a chronology for correlation of buried soil horizons. The offshore bars are a key factor in predicting the location of archaeological sites and understanding how the landscape has changed over time.