Jordan J. Thompson, doctoral student of anthropology at Washington State University, conducted a pilot study for her dissertation, using Trimble Lab surveying devices. The study, which is part of her dissertation, refines previous literature about the age of the Weitas Creek Archaeological Site.
The Weitas Creek archaeological site (10CW30) is situated along the North Fork of the Clearwater River, in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, within the ancestral homelands of the Nez Perce (Nimíipuu). Previous archaeological investigations interpreted the site as an upland hunting camp that was intensively occupied for thousands of years (Keeler 1973), beginning at least as early as 12,000 years ago.
To investigate regional interactions and site occupation, Thompson and her supervisor, Dr. Rachel A. Horowitz applied fine-grained excavation methods to excavate a 1×1 meter unit. A Trimble S5 Total Station was used to collect exact three-dimensional (northing, easting, and elevation) locations of artifacts within the unit.
As the study develops, Thomspon will continue to analyze the materials collected during the 2023 field season. This will include noting their precise three-dimensional location as recorded by the total station, as well as examining other details about the materials themselves.
This research was conducted with the permission of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee.