Archaeological Perspectives on Warfare on the Great Plains by Andrew Clark Douglas Bamforth

Author:Andrew Clark, Douglas Bamforth [Andrew Clark, Douglas Bamforth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781607326700
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: University Press of Colorado
Published: 2018-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Summary of Fortification Features

Investigations at Bryson-Paddock have identified a series of ditches that were parts of fortifications resembling forts described at later historic Wichita sites. At least four ditches were built near the center of Bryson-Paddock on a south-sloping ridge (figure 8.9). The ditches extend in a roughly circular pattern around the head of a dry draw or creek that may have been a source of water in the eighteenth century. The pattern of some ditches is irregular based on the magnetics, and there are indications that ditch segments may join or intersect other ditches. The outer three ditches appear to be dry-moat-type features used in conjunction with earthen ramparts and probably a stockade for defense. The innermost ditch constitutes the remains of a specialized semi-subterranean structure. Ramparts or embankments are not clearly visible at Bryson-Paddock but magnetic data suggest that earth from the ditches was piled to the inside. No posts for a stockade have been encountered at the site but plowing, erosion, or use of the earth from embankments to fill ditches may have removed enough soil to destroy any post molds formerly found in the embankments. Even the largest of these ditches and embankments would only encircle part of this large village; many houses, pits, and trash mounds are not enclosed by the fort (figure 8.9). However, the filling of all the identified fortification ditches while the site was still occupied may indicate that another ditch with ramparts and a wooden stockade could have encircled a much larger area of the village.

Figure 8.9. Map of Bryson-Paddock magnetic surveys with identified and projected fortification ditches (three black outer rings) and semi-subterranean shelter (inner gray ring). Dashed lines indicate unconfirmed ditch locations.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.