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Abstract
| Little is known about the food storage technology of the late prehistoric Oneota societies
(AD 1000 to AD 1650 ) of the Upper Midwest. Aspects of Oneota storage pit
forms, as found on archaeological sites in the Upper Mississippi Valley, indicate that
they may have been similar to those used by some Plains agricultural peoples in early
historic times, such as the Hidatsa of the Upper Missouri River Valley.
This project, conducted during the winters of 1996-97 and 1997-98, tested four
experimental maize (corn) storage pits, constructed according to ethnographically reported
methods. Results indicate that this method of storage works very well, during a typical
midwestern winter, and also during a winter that was unusually warm. Upon opening
these storage pits most of the corn was found to be in good condition, with little evidence
of mold, and with no signs of insect or rodent infestation. Germination tests indicated
that up to 99% of the seed in some samples remained viable.
Study of experimental storage pits will help to interpret the significance of pit features
found in archaeological sites, such as the seasonality and length of occupation at a
site, and the relationship between numbers of pits and population size. |
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