Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Boudreaux, Tony

Committee Member

Miller, Shane

Committee Member

Lambert, Shawn

Committee Member

Anderson, Derek

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Embargo 1 year

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Applied Anthropology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures

Abstract

The Hester site represents a rare, well-dated, stratified site in the southeastern United States that dates to the end of the Younger Dryas, which is a period of abrupt warming climate. I apply site formation theory and household archaeology to identify activity areas and potential structured uses of space. Lithic refitting and spatial statistical methods, like Global Getis-Ord G and hotspot analyses, are used to test artifact distribution and site integrity. Results show significant, non-random clustering at the site, indicating preserved structure. Most refits occur within identified hotspots, suggesting preserved activity areas which are associated with hearth-centered behaviors. Limited vertical displacement supports stratigraphic integrity. I determine that these clusters with refits are part of what Surovell (2022:196) calls a “hearth-centered activity area”, as they cluster around the hearth feature proposed by Miller et al. (2024).

Download

Available for download on Thursday, September 09, 2027

Share

COinS