Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Earth Sciences

Committee Chair

Ryan Parish

Committee Member

Anthony Lauricella

Committee Member

Darcy Hackley

Committee Member

David Dye

Abstract

The thesis analyses the lithic artifacts from the Chucalissa site (40SY1) to look for any differences in the source of the lithic resources in order to understand the resource range and/or social networks used by the site’s inhabitants. These findings will allow for the identification of possible stone use differences depending on context, as well as the geographic range of the procured stone resources utilized. Chucalissa is a Mississippian period village site located inside T.O Fuller State Park in Shelby County, Tennessee. Although there have been extensive excavations at the site, little analysis of the lithic assemblage has been conducted. To understand the inhabitant’s use of chert resources at the site as a product of both the social and natural environment an analysis of the lithic tools and debitage is conducted. The lithic artifacts are analyzed using reflectance spectroscopy to determine the source (geologic formation(s)) of the stone resource(s). The results of the visual analysis and reflectance spectroscopy study show that the people of Chucalissa were primarily using the Upland Complex Gravel, a local material, to make expedient tools for everyday tasks. A small percentage of farther away sources may illustrate community participation at the site from further regions, trade networks, or subsistence forays. The lack of long-distance resources also sheds light on the Mississippian culture which was facing changing climates and a rise in conflict after the fall of Cahokia.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access.

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