1. RUNNING HEAD: THE DIG 1
The Dig:
College Hill Research Archaeological Project Report
Randi Beardslee
Washington State University
Instructor Fisher
Anthropology 230 – Introduction to Archaeology
March 18th, 2013

2. THE DIG 2
The Dig:
College Hill Research Archaeological Project Report
Introduction and Description of the Site
Our dig was conducted in site WSU-2013-02, otherwise known as the McAllister Site. It
is located east of a river in Pullman, Washington. The site is in part of a valley, located in a hilly,
semi-arid area.
In our approach to excavation, our team decided to divide the site into 11 different 1 x 1
meter units. A team of three workers was assigned to each unit. Excavation was to be performed
down to the bottom of each unit if time allowed, digging through both the surface layer and the
occupational layer completely.
My team of three included myself, Gary Barquet, and McKenzie Bomber. We were
assigned to Unit 2. Unit 2 has a datum of 3 meters north, 0 meters east, and is located near the
southwest corner of the site. Our unit is also positioned directly east of the aforementioned river.
Unit and Data Description
During the excavation process, our team utilized a horizontal excavation method, which
gave us access to the main various artifacts found in the site, as well as their association with
other artifacts. We used trowels to dig through areas that needed a large amount of dirt removed.
When we found artifacts, mostly when we reached the top of the occupational layer, we used
brushes to sweep away the dirt. We disposed of the dirt in a bucket, which was then sifted
through to search for any smaller artifacts that were not found in original excavation.
In the surface layer of our unit, we found mostly manufactured materials (see Appendix,
Table 1.1). Three china ceramic shards were found, which seemed to be parts of a supper plate or
another type of dish. Two small chunks of brick were found. We discovered a green glass shard,

3. THE DIG 3
which seemed indicative of a bottle. Finally, and most interesting, we found a small bottle of
Disaronno Originale (see Appendix B, Figure 1.1).
The occupational layer of our unit proved to be a bit more historically interesting. Our
biggest faunal find in our entire unit was the large amount of animal bone we found (see
Appendix A, Table 1.2). Our group dug up 14 bones total (see Appendix B, Figure 1.3). While
most seemed to be from small creatures, some larger bones may be indicative of much larger
fauna: we found a fairly large scapula and leg bone, possibly a femur. We found multiple
vertebrae pieces, ribs, and phalanges. We also found other long bones or pieces of long bones.
Though the majority of the data found in the occupational layer was faunal, we also
found three obsidian flakes, which were roughly similar in style and size (see Appendix A, Table
1.1 and Appendix B, Figure 1.2).
Our unit also gave us a valuable piece of data: charcoal. Our charcoal was collected as a
batch sample, since the pieces were too small and abundant to efficiently give each piece
provenience. Due to the presence of carbon in charcoal, it is a useful substance when excavating,
as it can be dated with the absolute method of radiocarbon dating.
The main feature we identified in our unit was the fire pit. Made of medium-sized stones
in a circle, the fire pit had six of our bones inside of it, and was also where we located our
charcoal batch sample.
The matrix of our site was consistent throughout our dig. It remained gray in color and
grainy in texture. When shifted around, this dirt type created a lot of dust.
Interpretation of Results from Unit
Our fire pit feature found in the occupational layer is really useful in interpreting our site.
Just with the discovery of this feature, a person could infer that this site was used for fire, and,

4. THE DIG 4
more specifically, cooking. This theory is supported by our discovery of numerous animal bones
and obsidian shards, which may have been used for food preparation. Obsidian is very sharp and
can be easily created to make tools, which makes it ideal for food preparation, which involves
cutting flesh and skinning animals. Our charcoal sample also supports the idea of our unit being
a cooking area, as charcoal is still used today for cooking purposes.
The surface layer of our unit seems to carry on the tradition that the occupational layer
has set. The ceramic shards are likely part of a china dish or plate, which is typically found in a
kitchen. The brick pieces could have been remnants of a kitchen wall. The green glass, probably
from a bottle, and the Disaronno Originale bottle, also indicate that this area was used for a food
or drink preparation space.
All of this data seems to be in primary context. None of it looked to be disturbed from the
area of original deposition, and all of it is certainly from behavioral processes, such as cooking or
other food preparation activities.
Overall, our unit seems to be an area where food preparation is a common tradition. The
fire pit and charcoal shows that cooking had taken place in the area. The deposited bones are
indicative of more food preparation or eating. The obsidian flakes may have been used for
skinning animals or cutting flesh.
Interpretation of the Site
Units 1, 3, 4, and 8 seemed similar to each other: they all had multiple sticks, rock, bone,
and obsidian. A pattern of the data being arranged in a diagonal line is also found in these units.
Unit 5 also had a hearth or fire pit, with multiple bone found in the area, just like ours. Unit 6 had
both obsidian and chert, which may be indicative of a tool-making area.

5. THE DIG 5
Unit 7 was very interesting: it contained a pattern of sticks and bones formed in a cross,
which also contained rocks with symbols painted on them. This seems to be a ritual area, seeing
as symbols are typically found in religious sites. Finally, Unit 9 had a lot of obsidian: this may be
a work site, just like Unit 6.
Our charcoal was dated at 1800 +/- 75 B.P. (before present). This means that our site
could have been in use from 1725 B.P. to 1875 B.P. Our site was dated fairly recent, compared
to the rest of the McAllister Site. Ten samples were taken for radiocarbon dating: seven samples
were bone, two were charcoal, and one was bone. The average date of these samples found
throughout the site was 1649 B.P. The median of these sample dates was 1645 B.P. The dates of
these samples had a range of 320 years.
Overall, the site had a lot of wood, bone, and obsidian. The amount of these materials
found illustrates the fact that this site was most certainly occupied by humans. At least two units
were probably used for cooking, multiple were used for tool-making, and at least one was a ritual
area. Due to the nature of the man-made artifacts, faunal materials, and batch samples, it is likely
that the McAllister Site is an Occupation Site. This means that humans thrived here on a regular
basis, possibly as a permanent living area.
Our unit is an important part of the site, overall. The area we were assigned was used for
cooking and food preparation, which is crucial to the survival of a society. Cooking brings
people together to socialize, learn new skills, and nourish themselves.
Conclusions
Site WSU-2013-2 is very clearly a site of human occupation. We have learned that these
humans had clear ritualistic or religious patterns, were avid tool-makers, and used charcoal to
cook small animals for food.

6. THE DIG 6
For future research, we would suggest a look into the style of the tools found in the area.
This may give other archaeologists some insight into the culture or nationality of the humans that
lived in this area. Seriation, or the method of comparing styles and frequencies of tools in a site,
may be a useful technique for this purpose.

7. THE DIG 7
Appendix A: Tables
Table 1.1: Unit 2, Site WSU-2013-02 Artifacts List
Number Description North (cm.) East (cm.) Depth (cm.) Layer Date
1 Ceramic, china sherd 32 39.5 25.3 A 2/27/13
2 Ceramic, china sherd 25.5 72.7 22.4 A 2/27/13
3 Ceramic, china sherd 73 55 22.8 A 2/27/13
4 Red brick, square 61.5 24 23.8 A 2/27/13
5 Red brick, square 68.8 31 25 A 2/27/13
6 Disaronno Originale
glass bottle
53.5 59.5 24.3 A 2/27/13
7 Green glass shard 78 78 24.6 A 2/27/13
17 Obsidian flake 25.5 87.5 27 B 3/6/13
23 Obsidian flake 85 71 25.7 B 3/6/13
24 Obsidian flake 40.9 9.5 26.9 B 3/6/13
Table 1.2: Unit 2, Site WSU-2013-02 Faunal List
Number Description North (cm.) East (cm.) Depth (cm.) Layer Date
8 Bone, larger, scapula 83 42 25.7 B 3/1/13
9 Bone, smaller, vertebrae 78.5 64.5 20.6 B 3/1/13
10 Bone, thin, long, rib 40.5 61 25.7 B 3/1/13
11 Bone, long bone 31 38 26.4 B 3/1/13
12 Bone, smaller, phalange 49 38 27.5 B 3/1/13
13 Bone, rib 27.5 52 26.6 B 3/4/13
14 Bone, rib 18 82 25.5 B 3/4/13
15 Bone, leg bone 17.5 79.5 25.4 B 3/4/13
16 Bone, arm bone 9 84 25.3 B 3/4/13
18 Bone, smaller 36.5 53 26 B 3/4/13
19 Bone, smaller, vertebrae 65 14.5 24.9 B 3/4/13
20 Bone, large, femur 21-27 7-9 27.9 B 3/4/13
21 Bone, end of long bone 83.3 74 25.6 B 3/6/13
22 Bone, phalange 48 49.5 27 B 3/6/13

8. THE DIG 8
Appendix B: Photos
Figure 1.1: Unit 2 Before Excavation
Figure 1.2: Unit 2 After Excavation of Surface Layer
Figure 1.3: Unit 2 Faunal Findings