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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Romanski, Eugene J., March 1989 - ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED AT THE OBSERVATORY SITE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA: 1964-1966
Abstract: This thesis represents the final report of archaeological investigations conducted at the Observatory site (8Hill4). The site is a multiple component lithic and ceramic scatter containing artifacts representative of three archaeological cultures: the late Manasota, Weeden Island-- related, and Safety Harbor groups. Occupation occurred at the site from about 1300 to 250 B.P. Prehistoric cultural development in west central Florida is detailed. The entire cultural sequence from the Paleo-Indian through Acculturative stages is described. This information allows the Observatory site to be understood in terms of its place within the succession of archaeological cultures in the area. Archaeological work was conducted at the Observatory site from 1964 to 1966. Details regarding this research including excavation procedures, artifact cataloging, and initial interpretation regarding the function and size of the site are outlined. The Observatory site is located within and adjacent to several naturally occurring ecosystems including pineland, pond, and cypress strand systems. These ecosystems and the structure of the floral and faunal resources that occur within them are also discussed. A total of 352 lithic debitage pieces, 22 lithic tool forms, and 137 ceramic artifacts were recovered from the site. These are segregated into a number of archaeological assemblages defined on the basis of excavation unit levels. The assemblages are described and interpreted using an experimentally refined version of the Sullivan and Rozen (1985) debitage typology, a lithic tool typology, and a ceramic typology. This research indicates that excavation techniques and technological and occupational processes may have been responsible for the patterns seen in the assemblages from the site. Interpretation was hindered by the use of the arbitrary level excavation method and the lack of artifact spatial data. The methods used to analyze the artifact assemblages also need to be further refined. Both of these problems may be avoidable in the future by changing site excavation strategies and developing and refining actualistic methods for examining patterning in the archaeological record.
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