Florida Museum Environmental Archaeology Baptizing Springs Zooarchaeological Data

Study Extent

From Loucks 1979: “The Baptizing Spring site covers an estimated 2.83 HA which includes Baptizing Spring in the northeast corner” (119). (See Figure 6) Loucks, L.J. (1979) Political and Economic Interactions between Spaniards and Indians: Ethnohistorical and Archaeological Perspectives of the Mission System in Florida. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville.

Sampling

Information and Excerpts from Loucks 1979, see also Appendix A (Excavation Data and Detailed Feature Descriptions) 1976 Excavations: Site limits were determined via “ ‘posthole’ testing and surface observations” (page118). “A total of 346 square meters was excavated in four portions of the site: (1) Group A, (2) Group B, (3) Group C, and (4) two two-meter wide trenches south and southeast of Group A” (page 119). Structure A was in Group B, and Structure B in Group A. Group C was the “Indian sector” of the site and included four 3x3 m square test units. In an effort to locate a cemetery, 180 posthole tests and a trench were excavated north of Structure A. “All excavated dirt from Structures A and C were sifted through mechanical shaker screens outfitted with wide gauge (3/8” by ¾”) diamond mesh. Trench and Structure B materials were not screened. Contents of Structure C features were screened through 1/8” by 1/8” fine screen or were simply troweled carefully” (page 120-121). (See also Heath 1977) 1978 Excavations: Based on 1976 excavations, additional units and a one meter wide trench were excavated (See Figures 6, 7). “A total of 197 square meters were investigated across the site. With some exceptions, all excavated soil was screened through ¼” by ¼” hardware cloth over expanded diamond mesh on mechanical shaker screens. Parts of Trench #1 and all of Trench #6 (Figure 7) were screened through 3/8” by ¾” expanded diamond mesh [on a stand when the mechanical shaker was not working]…Bagged contents from five features were water screened through fine mesh (1/1” by 1/16”) during later analysis.” (page 122). Three Zones were established (pages125-126): Zone I: IA) litter/root zone, IB) grey, greyish tan or tan with grey and brown mottling, IC) leaching zone from IB to Zone II Zone II: culturally sterile zone with features extending into sterile soil, dark to light tan Zone III: clay or clayey sand that was not excavated Zone IV: only located in a deep feature in one specific square 443N 547 E, almost white sand and no cultural materials, was between Zone II and a limestone/clay substrate Loucks, L.J. (1979) Political and Economic Interactions between Spaniards and Indians: Ethnohistorical and Archaeological Perspectives of the Mission System in Florida. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville.

Quality Control

n/a

Method steps

1. n/a

All zooarchaeological specimens identified to phylum, class, order, genus, or species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom

Near Luraville in Suwannee County, Florida.