1. The Coastal Archaeology and
Dune Geoarchaeology of Lake
Michigan
William A. Lovis
Presented by William A. Lovis Department of Anthropology
MSU Museum
Michigan State University
Alan F. Arbogast
Department of Geography
Michigan State University
G. William Monaghan
Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology
Mathers Museum
Indiana University
Teaching Climate Change: Insight from Large Lakes
Science Education Resource Center, Carleton College
American Quaternary Association Biennial Meeting
Large Lakes Observatory and Department of Geological Sciences
University of Minnesota
Duluth MN
19-20 June 2012
(Photo by A. Arbogast; used with permission)

3. Graphic by G. W. Monaghan. Modified from Monaghan and Lovis (2005; Table 3-1)

4.  The basins varied in
configuration
 Relative to changing
elevations or water
planes
 High lake levels in one
basin may correlate with
lows in others
(Graphics modified from original by Rob MacDonald)

5. (Graphic by R. MacDonald from original by W.A. Lovis)

6. (Modified from graphic by R. MacDonald)

7.  This period was
characterized by mobile
hunters and gathers.
 PaleoIndians hunted
caribou, and actively
scavenged mastodon.
 They made stylistically
distinctive spear points.
 Some of their
occupations are found
(Photo by W. Lovis; MSU Museum Archaeological Collections)
on relict beach ridges of
early lake stages.

8.  Adept hunters
of deer using
the atlatl or
spear thrower
 Intensive acorn,
walnut and
hickory nut
collectors
 Early exploiters
(Photo by W. Lovis; MSU Museum Archaeological Collections) of native copper

9.  These people
participated in
exchange systems
so vast that they
brought Gulf Coast
conch shells to the
upper Great Lakes,
and Lake Superior
copper was
transported across
the Eastern United
States
(Photo by W. Lovis; MSU Museum Archaeological Collections)

10. (Photos by W. Lovis; MSU Museum Archaeological Collections)

11. (Photos by W. Lovis;
right -MSU Museum Archaeological Collections;
left - State of Michigan Archaeological Collections)

12.  The Woodland period begins variously around
2000 to 2500 years ago across the Great Lakes
 It was initially defined on the basis of ceramic
technology, and divided into three subperiods
 Woodland peoples domesticated indigenous
seed plants as well as tropical newcomers such
as squash and corn (maize)
 Many village sites are found in coastal zones due
to the moderating lake effects of the Great Lakes

13. An uncarbonized Cucurbita pepo (pepo? Cucurbita Rind (BorderlineDomestic
ovifera?) seed (ca 16x8 mm) collected Variety) From the Marquette Viaduct Site.
from organic deposits 3 m deep adjacent Note That Squash is NOT Indigenous to
to the Green Point Site. Michigan.
Sample dated 3064-2844 cal BP Sample dated 4516–4248 cal BP
(Photo by G. Monaghan, used with permission) (Photo by G. Urquhart, used with permission)

14. BP/ AD-BC
0/2000
Late
Limited Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Woodland
Maize (Zea mays mays) macrobotanicals relatively abundant
1000/1000
Limited Maize (Zea mays mays) macrobotanicals
Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica) Early &
Middle
Woodland
2000/ 0
Earliest Maize (Zea mays mays) microbotanicals
EAC Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
EAC Limited Goosefoot/Lambsquarter (Chenopodium sp)
3000/1000 EAC Limited non indigenous sumpweed (Iva annua)
Late
EAC Large domestic Squash Variety (C. pepo) Archaic
EAC Small domestic Squash Variety (C. pepo)
4000/2000 EAC Possible non indigenous domestic Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

15. Note the position
of the primary 140
frost free day
contour line
across the lower
and upper
peninsulas of
Michigan.
AsaYarnell
presented a
slightly
different contour
map in his major
1964 work.
(http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/atlas/images/big03.gif)

16.  Left – pottery rim section from the Upper Great
Lakes Laurel culture
 Middle – Hopewell style pottery from the
southern Great Lakes
 Right – Late Woodland cordmarked pottery from
southern Michigan
(Photo by A. Fortier;
State of Michigan
Archaeological Collections,
used with permission)
(Photos by W. Lovis; MSU Museum Archaeological Collections)

17.  Woodland peoples,
and their Upper
Mississippian
counterparts, built
burial and effigy
(Photo by W. Lovis; MSU Museum Archaeological Collections) mounds, and
earthworks
 They mastered the
use of the bow and
arrow
 And developed
elegant fishing
technologies based
on spears and gill
nets

19.  To synthesize existing geomorphological, geological,
and archaeological data on coastal dunes, and to
gather supplementary information from fieldwork as
appropriate
 To better understand the processes responsible for the
cycling of coastal dune activation and stabilization
 To better understand the contexts, both landforms, and
elevations, in which coastal dunes are formed
 To better understand the ages and timing of coastal
dune formation and cycling
 To better understand the ages and contexts in which
archaeological sites will be formed and preserved

20.  Dune geomorphological documentation
of eolian activation and stabilization
cycles
 Coastal geology and glacial geology
documentation of uplift, subsidence,
outlet incision, lake level fluctuation,
beach terrace formation
 Archaeological documentation of burial
and stratification in coastal and dune
contexts

21. (Photo by A. Arbogast; used with permission)

22. Canada
Lake Superior
La
ke
1) westerly winds H
ur
on ta rio
e On
Lak
3) Lot’s of sand! ie
e Er
k
Mississippi River La
2) long fetch (~ 110 km)
U.S.
across Lake Michigan
America’s North

23. This Regional Map Shows
the Distribution of Dunes
and Dune Fields in
Michigan, Displaying
the Primary and Secondary
Project Study Areas
Along the Coastal Zone of
Lake Michigan in
Michigan.
(Graphic by G. Monaghan, used with permission)

24. (Graphic and photo by A. Arbogast, used with permission)

25. OSL date of
920±90 BP/
1080 AD from
18m below the
dune crest,
from below soil
zones, but at
uppermost part
of Unit 1 eolian
sand.

26. Three Curves Modeling Changes in Water Levels
During the Mid- To Late- Holocene
Corrected for Uplift Near Port Huron
(Graphic by G. W. Monaghan, used with permission)

27. Jan
1996
Feb
2007

29. Di
re
ct
io
n
of
Up
lif
t

30. (Graphic by G. Monaghan; used with permission)

31. (Photo by W. Lovis; used with permission)

32. O’Neil Site
(20CX18),
Charlevoix County,
Michigan
Note stratification in swale behind
foredune complex adjacent to
Inwood Creek. Basal occupation
dates ca. A.D. 1200, upper soil
horizon was stable by the turn of the
18th century A.D.
(Photo by W. Lovis, graphic from Lovis
1973; used with permission)

33. 2163-1856 cal BP
1873-1280 cal BP
2043-1512 cal BP
This site sits atop high dunes at Petoskey. The basal occupation is primarily Middle
Woodland, the upper occupation is primarily Late Woodland. Initial stabilization
occurred ca. 0 A.D. (Photo by W. Lovis, used with permission)

34. Conventional 14C Dating
Existing dates recalibrated and placed stratigraphically; limited
new dates obtained on charcoal incorporated into existing
sequence
Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS)
Dating of small samples of carbonized residues from ceramic
sherds with good stratigraphic provenience, as well as small
paleosol samples
Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL)
Dating of samples of inorganics, primarily dune sands
“sandwiching” stable organic deposits revealing soil formation,
and possibly cultural use

35.  Previously
Reported Sites Had
Information of Variable Quality on
• Assemblage Composition,
• Stratigraphy and Formation Processes,
• Ages and Dating
 These Data were Differentially Reported.
 We Needed to Develop Standard
Procedures for Both Known as Well as
Newly Investigated Sites

36. Map showing the
locations of
archaeological sites and
dune sampling locales
around Lake Michigan.
The dashed line
indicates the
approximate position of
the Algonquin and
Nipissing “hinge line”;
after Leverett and
Taylor (1915). Areas of
presumed subsidence
and uplift are labeled
on either side of the
“hinge line.”
(Graphic by G. Monaghan; used with permission)

37. (Photos by W. Lovis:
used with permission) Winter site composite stratigraphy of Richner’s Ekdahl-Goudreau site composite stratigraphy as described
archaeological units and noted from GeoProbe core. Note: by UMMA field notes and that noted from the GeoProbe
units depths and boundaries are approximate. core. Note: unit depths and boundaries are approximate.
(Graphics by G. Monaghan; used with permission)

38. Oneota Shell Tempered
Juntunen Drag and Jab
Mackinac Punctate
(Photos and graphic by W. Lovis; used with permission)

39. The Eastport Site, Antrim County, MI
616’/187.75m
Eolian Sand
Paleosol
Leached B/E 614’/187.15m
Spodosols
Lacustrine Sand
Artifact Zone 612’/186.54m
610’/185.93m
608’/185.32m
OSL 5150±390 B.P.
In Eolian Sand at
Village of Eastport Unit 1/Unit 2
Composite
(Graphic by W. Lovis; used with permission)

41. (Photo by W. Lovis; used with prmission)

42. Results of 2007 14C and OSL Dating
The Camp Miniwanca Site, Oceana Co, MI
• Wood charcoal from hearth in buried
paleosol identified by Dr. Frank Telewski as
20+ Meters! Picea sp., spruce. Tight growth rings
reveal a stressed environment.
• A 14C date of 820±40 BP from a hearth with
ceramics, chipped stone, and bone cal. BP
730/AD 1220.
OSL ages
870±80 BP above
920±80 BP below
(Photos by W. Lovis, graphic by G. Monaghan, used with permission)

43. Procedures for GeoProbeTM OSL Sampling
Step 1: Once a sample location has been selected
on a larger site, position GeoProbeTM and take visible
solid core to the appropriate stratigraphic depth.
Photo at left is Bill Monaghan coring at Winter site.
Step 2: Assess stratigraphy
within the core. Ascertain
whether OSL sample is appro-
priate, and from what depth
within the stratigraphic section.
Photo at left is from Winter site.
(Photos by W. A. Lovis; used with
permission)
Step 3: Properly record stratigraphy in terms of
standard criterion such as color, texture, grain
size, organic content. Again determine at what
depth the OSL sample should be taken. Photo
at right is at Ekdahl-Goudreau/Seul Choix site.

44. Procedures for GeoProbeTM OSL Sampling
Step 4: Repeat the coring procedure at least once, and
possibly twice. It is necessary to obtain a control, or
Gamma, sample, which does not need to be light tight.
More importantly it is necessary to obtain a light tight,
sealed sample for OSL dating. Thus, the core tube is
blackened, and covered with duct tape. It is “blind”,
which is why depth assessment is critical since the
sealed sample tube is cut at the appropriate location.
Photo at left is the Ekdahl-Goudreau/Seul Choix site.
Step 5: Appropriately field archive all
samples, both OSL, and Gamma, as
well as preserved solid cores with
visible stratigraphy. Document UTM
and Lat/Long locations of cores using
reasonably accurate GPS device. As
necessary, appropriate, or required,
backfill core holes with BentoniteTM clay
to prohibit contaminant seepage into
groundwater. Photo at left shows solid
cores from Winter site.
(Photos by W. A. Lovis; used with permission)

45. (Photo by A. Arbogast; used with permission)

46. Sample transect through dune ridges between the
Nipissing wave terrace and the Lake Michigan beach,
Antrim Creek Natural Area.
West – Lake Michigan East - Inland
•Not to scale
•Graphic by A. Arbogast and G. Monaghan, used with permission)

47. (Photo by A. Arbogast; used with permission)

48. Mt. McSauba Site, City of Charlevoix
Organic horizon with cultural material.
Modern 14C date on wood detritus.
(Cal 2C B.P. 305[229-132]0)
OSL date on underlying sand.
740±70 B.P.
Late Woodland ceramic vessel base
eroding from the buried organic horizon.
Decoration suggests age of ca. 1000-
1200 AD. See the rim sherds illustrated
below.
(Photographs by W. Lovis; used with permission)

49. The Winter Site, Delta County, MI
The Winter site was AMS
dated using carbonized
food residues adhering
to the interiors of ceramic
vessels. The basal
occupation horizon was
dated from two sherds, a
Plain sherd, and a North
Bay Corded sherd. The
middle/upper horizon was
dated from a single sherd
of Vertical Corded pottery.
The dates on the lower
horizon are statistically
identical. The date on the
middle/upper horizon is
both earlier, and not
identical. This suggests
Photos by W. Lovis; that these stable horizons
used with permission) are all very close in time.
The basal OSL date is
earlier than all of the AMS
(Graphic by G. Monaghan; used with permission) dates.

50. The Scott Point Site, Dated diagnostic ceramic rims from
Mackinac County, the top 30 cm of the deposits
include a Juntunen Drag and Jab
MI
Mean Pooled Age
and an Oneota Shell tempered rim
producing statistically identical dates
Cal BP 865±28/AD 1085 with a mean pooled age of cal BP
865. This reveals that the last
stabilization of the site took place
ca. A.D. 1085.
The base of the deposits were dated
on the basis of a diagnostic
400 yrs Mackinac Ware rim producing an
age of cal AD 770. This date is
consistent with the known age of the
ware, and indicates that the basal
EXCAVATED deposits at 1.5 mbs
were stable ca. A.D. 700-800.
Cal BP 1270-1068/AD 670-890
Oneota Shell Tempered Juntunen Drag and Jab Mackinac Punctate

51.  Based on our sample, there are very few
Nipissing age dunes, i.e. pre- 4000 B.P., and
they are relatively small.
 There is a surge in dune growth frequency,
intensity, and size ca. 3200 to 2000 B.P.
 Dune activation slows and reduces in intensity
between ca. 2000 and 1000 B.P.
 Dunes again become more active from 1000 B.P.
to 700 B.P.

52. Probability Density Distribution of all OSL Dates:
University of Illinois-Chicago, and University of Sheffield
(Function Plot by Steve Forman, UI-C)

53. OSL Probability Density Distribution
Source: Steven L. Forman
Medieval Warm Period?
Largest Dunes Form
Few
Nipissing
Dunes
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
OSL Age Estimate

54. Foredune
East of Marquette Michigan
South shore of Lake Superior
Dune has grown ~1.3m+ since May 2010
Bottom edge of dune grass marks former dune crest
(Photos and composite by W. Lovis, used with permission)

55. Three Holocene Lake Level Curves proposed
for Lakes Michigan and Huron
Basis of Lake-Level Curves:
Larsen (1985): 14C ages from beach ridges, mainly in
southern Lake Michigan.
Thompson et.al. (2004): sedimentology of sets of
recessional beaches within embayments.
Monaghan and Lovis (2005): 14C ages of beaches,
transgressions in mouth of rivers and archaeological
sites, mainly southern Lake Huron (Saginaw Bay).
Points of Agreement: three broad intervals
High water events 6-4 kya
Low water (or stable?) interval ca 4-2 kya
Fluctuating levels (alternating high/low) post-2 kya

56. (Graphic by G. Monaghan, used with permission)

57. Sample Transect Through the Torch Bay
Nature Preserve Between the Nipissing
Shoreline and Lake Michigan.
West – Lake Michigan East - Inland
Not to scale
(Graphic by A. Arbogast and G. Monaghan, used with permission)

58. Fisherman’s Island State Park transect
across increasingly younger dune ridges.
West – Lake Michigan East - Inland
Campground Loop Transect
2180-2660 ya
Not to scale
(Graphic by A. Arbogast, used with permission)

59. Map showing
zones on the
Lake Michigan
shoreline
where groups
of processes
dominate to
create specific
types of
beaches, dunes
and
archaeological
sites.

60. Descriptive model
of middle and late
Holocene
shoreline and dune
development in
areas of
subsidence or
stability along the
southern and
southeastern shore
of Lake Michigan.

61. Descriptive model
of middle and late
Holocene
shoreline and
dune development
in areas of rapid
uplift along the
northern and
northeastern
shore of Lake
Michigan.

62. Diagrammatic
model of the
formation, burial
and stratification
of archaeological
sites in areas of
rapid uplift on the
northern and
northeastern
shore of Lake
Michigan.

63. Potential Human – Dune Landscape
Interactions North of the
Zone of Isostatic Rebound
 Human occupation is normally BEHIND dune crests, most often in a hollow or
the swale behind the foredune
 Occupation surfaces most likely are not stable, and they do not display the
normal signatures of soil formation. This suggests they may be induced as the
product of human enhancement rather than natural pedogenic processes. They
are anthropogenic horizons, and may not be formal paleosols.
 Organic enhancement occurs with the introduction of charcoal, oils and fats,
charred bone, and organic debris. This organic enhancement fosters rapid
vegetative growth in protected and occupied swales and hollows.
 Human foot traffic over lakeward positioned dune crests results in local level
mobilization of the sand supply. Eolian activity deposits a veneer of inorganic
sands of varying depth over the organic occupation surface. This process may
occur once, resulting in burial of a single occupation, or cyclically resulting in
stratification.

64. And South of the Hinge Line . . . ?

65. Thanks for Your Attention

66.  Michigan Department of Transportation
 Michigan Department of Natural Resources
 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
 Michigan Office of the State Archaeologist
 USDA Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest
 Antrim County Planning Commission
 Torch Lake Township
 National Park Service, Midwest Archaeological Center
 Northern Michigan University
 Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan
 Department of Anthropology, Western Michigan University
 Department of Anthropology, Grand Valley State University

67.  Dr. David Ruggles
 Dr. James Robertson
 Barbara Mead
 Jeff Richner
 Dr. Marla Buckmaster
 Dr. Michael Nassaney
 Dr. William Cremin
 Glenn Palmgren
 Dr. Janet Brashler
 Dr. John O’Shea
 Robert Spencer
 Dr. Charles Cleland
 John Franzen
 Jennifer Holmstadt
 Frank and Sandra Sakowski
 Dr. Diane Portfleet
 Eric Drake
 Jeanne Kokx
 Sue Rose
 Lynn Hyslop
 James Phillips
 Stevan Christianson
 Dr. Steven L. Forman
 Dr. John R. Halsey

68. The End