Large Domestic Pits on the Northwest Coast of North America

Authors

Kenneth M. Ames, Portland State UniversityFollow
Cameron M. Smith, Portland State UniversityFollow
Alexander Bourdeau, United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Published In

Journal of Field Archaeology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Subjects

Northwest Coast of North America -- Prehistory, Ancient dwellings -- Northwest Coast of North America, Storage pits, Hunting and gathering societies -- Columbia River Region

Abstract

Excavations of prehistoric and contact-period houses on the southern Northwest Coast of North America have exposed very large interior pit complexes. The complexes are either long trenches or rows of pits beneath the house floors. They are associated with substantial permanently occupied houses dated to between 300 CAL B.G. and A.D. 1830. The pits add significantly to the storage potentials of these houses and suggest surplus production.

DOI

10.1179/009346908791071420

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12607

Citation Details

Ames, K. (2008). Large domestic pits on the Northwest Coast of North America. Journal Of Field Archaeology, 33(1), 3-18.