Analysis of Oneota storage pits at the lower sand lake site (47LC45)

Abstract

This research focuses on the examination of Oneota storage pits from Locality 3 at the Lower Sand Lake site (47Lc45) which was excavated in the summer of 2009. Seven features were identified as storage pits and analyzed in the research. Radiocarbon dates were obtained on two pits to confirm a single occupation. The volumes of pits were calculated to get the storage capacity. The number of bushels of corn was then calculated from that to help figure out how much corn could have been stored. Nutritional facts, specifically calories and protein, on dried corn were used to find out how long a pit would last based on group size and serving size. Ethnographic and archaeological information were then used to propose the possible number of people stored corn from these pits would have fed and for how long. This research will add to our understanding of Oneota population density