Lithic Scatter Patterns

[Shannon Graham]

This image of Australian Aborigines appeared years ago in Time Magazine. The article focused on drinking habits of the local folks but what immediately captured my attention was the scattering of 'trash' around their social circle.



It reminded me of the burned rock midden rings that have been excavated in Texas. I could easily image a similar scene thousands of years ago where folks sat around the fire changing out broken tips on foreshafts or what have you, and the 'trash' getting tossed beind the central area of activity.

Limeston fire pits in Texas could have been scattered in a similar method. When the limestone lining cracked, I can envision the oven keepers tossing all of the smaller cracked limestone back behind them away from the fire pit creating a nice distribution pattern after several cycles.

Check out these scatter patterns from Texas Beyond History.net
Graham-Applegate Rancheria

Shannon

[Mojave]

I think that would look like my refuse pile if I had Victoria Bitter.
That is good beer.

[mootsman]

[quote=Mojave;54063]I think that would look like my refuse pile if I had Victoria Bitter.
That is good beer.[/QUOTE

What's the International Bitter Units number on that brew?

[Mojave]

[quote=mootsman;54085]

Originally Posted by Mojave

I think that would look like my refuse pile if I had Victoria Bitter.
That is good beer.[/QUOTE

What's the International Bitter Units number on that brew?

I have no idea.
I worked for several years on a program with folks from Oz. They always had VB and I always drank a LOT.

[loudog]

Shannon what are the demensions of the grid layout in the picture?Just trying to learn. Lou

[Shannon Graham]

Originally Posted by loudog

Shannon what are the demensions of the grid layout in the picture?Just trying to learn. Lou

Lou,

Good question. I don't know though...maybe 2' by 4'?

There's another picture of a professionally excavated midden on that same site but I couldn't find it. Will do some digging and post it when I run across it. It's impressive to see the rock hearths and scatter.

Shannon

[jimc]

Some may have already seen this link below but has some info on middens. Jim C

Camp Bowie > What is a Burned Rock Midden?

[loudog]

Hey guys thanks for the links and the help. Lou

[TEXAS DIGGER]

hmm.. cool post man... thanks for sharing this..

[Mud Hawk]

Great link/article jimc, thank you!