Edgewater Park: A Late Archaic Campsite along the Iowa River

Edgewater Park is a Late Archaic Table Rock campsite situated on a low alluvial ridge along the Iowa River in Coralville, Iowa. Excavations revealed a small encampment with two hearths and associated areas for faunal and lithic processing occupied ca. 3,800 cal. years ago. Other features identified include a discard area and a deep pit feature of unknown function. Lithic analysis reveals that the site occupants probably had recently traveled along the Iowa River from the north center of the state and were engaged in late-stage tool manufacture and maintenance. Floral analysis indicates the site occupation occurred during the warm half of the year and that the occupants utilized little barley, a non-local plant which was later cultivated, and barnyard grass, a local plant probably also later cultivated. This site is interpreted as a short term, late warm-season occupation of people migrating down the Iowa River, possibly towards winter encampments in the southeast part of the state. Its significance is in demonstrating prehistoric lifeways in the possible nascent stages of horticulture.