Archaeological Site Report:
The Martens Site
Chesterfield, Missouri
| Paleoindian | 9,500 – 8,500 BC |
Introduction: The Martens Site is one of the oldest and most important archaeological sites in the Midwest. It was discovered by Chesterfield resident and artifact collector, Richard Martens. The site, which sat atop a large hillside across the street from Faust Park, was excavated in 1997 by the archaeology team of Julie and Toby Morrow.
The above photo
shows Richard Martens and his grandson working at the site. While the number
of volunteers varied from day-to-day, a total of over 100 people ranging
from 4 years old to over 70 years old helped
out!
Mr. Martens, the Morrows, and a host of volunteers spent 42 long, hot days carefully uncovering the remains of a Paleoindian camp site, dating to over 11,000 years ago!
Fun Fact: It was reported in the Missouri Archaeological Society Quarterly that Girl Scout Troop 1882, from Shenandoah Valley Elementary School, cheerfully provided refreshments and aided scientists in screening soil for artifacts.
The efforts of the Morrows and Mr. Martens were a great success. In a very short time, they uncovered over 5,000 stone artifacts. These artifacts are being studied by scientists across the country, helping us to learn a great deal about these ancient people!
This photo (above) shows how the site was carefully excavated in block sections, centimeter by centimeter, carefully screening the soil for artifacts.
People of the Paleoindian Period: 9,500 – 8,500 BC. Scientists believe these first inhabitants of North America wandered into this area, hunting and gathering, while following the seasonal migrations of large animals, such as mastodon and long horned bison. These were enormous animals that became extinct near the end of the Paleoindian period. Most scientists think they became extinct due to changes in the climate. However, some scientists think the Paleoindians were such good hunters, they caused the extinction.
Hunting giant mastodon with only spears would have been a very dangerous business! Therefore, most scientists think the Paleoindian people were "opportunistic hunters" of large beasts such as mastodon. In other words, they would hunt smaller animals and gather fruits, grains and berries, while following mastodon herds. They would wait for the right opportunity to more safely hunt the mastodon, perhaps targeting very young, sick, or wounded. They may have even scavenged from dead mastodon.
The Martens Site camp was situation just over the top of one side of the large hill. A muddy sink-hole or water-hole was located at the bottom of the other side. While no mastodon bones were uncovered during the excavation, scientists think the location of the camp site was selected so the Paleoindian people could wait and watch for a mastodon or other animals to come and drink at the sink-hole.
Paleoindian Technology: A variety of tools were uncovered at the Martens Site: spear points, knives, and hide scrapers.
The points shown below are called Clovis points. They would have been fitted into a slot at the end of a wooden spear shaft and bound with leather string. They also were used as knives.
Hide scrapers (below): the left end of the scraper was fitted into the end of a slotted a wooden or bone handle. Fat and hair could be removed from animal hides with this tool.
Flint blades like this (below) were razor-sharp and may have been used for butchering animals.
Summary:
For More Information: