September 30, 2025

New Publication in North American Archaeologist

An Early Holocene Crescent and Associated Technologies at Connley Cave 6, Oregon presents a newly documented crescent and associated tools from recent excavations at Connley Cave 6, Oregon. We describe the crescent, its stratigraphic context, associated hearth features, new radiocarbon ages (ca. 9715-9245 cal BP), and the broader tool assemblage, which includes Western Stemmed and Cascade-style projectile points. The function of crescents remains a subject of debate, and these tools are still poorly dated outside of the Northern Channel Islands. This paper helps refine the chronology of crescents by providing a second securely dated example from the Great Basin and contributes to broader discussions of early Holocene technological traditions in western North America. As the first report on results from renewed excavations at Connley Cave 6, this work also advances our understanding of human activities and timing of visits to Cave 6.

We are grateful to the Klamath, Northern Paiute, and Modoc peoples, many of whom are now members of the Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, The Klamath Tribes, and Fort Bidwell Indian Community, for the opportunity to work within their ancestral lands. We also thank the 2019-2024 archaeology field school students, staff, and volunteers for making this work possible. Financial support came from the University of Oregon Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation Faculty Research Award, Sven and Astrid Liljeblad Grant in Great Basin Studies, and University of Nevada, Reno Artemisia Archaeological Research Fund.

We are excited to see this publication in print! Please reach out to Katelyn (kmcdonou@uoregon.edu) if you are interested in obtaining a copy.

 

September 25, 2025

ASCO Research Grant and Talk

In April 2025 Katelyn McDonough was awarded a Research Grant from the Archaeological Society of Central Oregon to support an obsidian sourcing project at the Connley Caves. This funding made it possible to conduct X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis on more than 80 stone tools from the oldest levels of Connley Cave 6.

XRF is a non-destructive technique that reveals the “chemical fingerprint” of a stone. By shining X-rays on a tool, archaeologists can determine its elemental makeup and trace it to the specific obsidian flow or rock outcrop where it originated. These findings shed light on how people in the past moved across the landscape, selected knapping materials, traded, and connected. With over 100 distinct obsidian flows, Oregon is an especially exciting place for this kind of research. XRF analysis for this study was carried out at the Northwest Research Obsidian Studies Laboratory.

In September, Katelyn and Richie Rosencrance presented the results of this analysis to ASCO members in Bend. They really enjoyed the opportunity to share their research and engage with the audience’s thoughtful questions. ASCO brings together archaeologists and community members who are passionate about learning about and protecting cultural heritage. Their work includes site stewardship, education and outreach events, lecture series, research grants, and more.

 

July 1, 2025

Student Spotlight: Spring Term Lab Achievements

This spring, our team of 16 undergraduate students worked hard to help with research at the Connley Caves.

The team spent part of the term on flotation–a process archaeologists use to recover tiny plant and animals remains from sediment samples. To do this, the students poured sediment into a special tank filled with circulating water and allowed the heavier materials like rocks and bones sank, while lighter remains such as seeds and charcoal floated to the surface. Both heavy and fine fractions were caught in fine mesh, dried, and carefully sorted. With the help of microscopes, entomology forceps, and tiny paintbrushes, students meticulously separated seeds, charcoal, animal bones, and stone flakes. This delicate work provides rich insights into what people ate, how they used plants and animals, and what the ancient environment was like.

In addition, the team helped establish the Great Basin Library—a large collection of literature on the region’s history, ecology, and geology that will be available to students and researchers. We will continue to catalog, organize, and share updates on the library next year.

We are so proud of our students’ dedication and accomplishments this term!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 11, 2025

Archaeology Roadshow in Bend, Oregon

Katelyn McDonough, Richie Rosencrance, and Perry Chocktoot teamed up to present at the Archaeology Roadshow in Bend last week at the Deschutes Historical Museum.

The Archaeology Roadshow is a large-scale public outreach event held at locations throughout Oregon designed to promote stewardship of cultural heritage and educate community members on the value of archaeology to everyone. This year in Bend the Roadshow featured 15 booth exhibits by community organizations, Tribes, federal and state agencies, and avocational organizations, as well as four public talks and hands-on activities like atlatl throwing.

We had a blast talking about Hide Processing and Sewing from Past to Present. Our exhibit focused on the art and craft of hide processing and sewing in two ways. First, we shared about archaeological evidence from the Connley Caves in central Oregon where these activities go back over 12,000 years. Second, we discussed how these techniques continue into the present, and how processing and sewing represent more than just clothing production but also encompass social dynamics and traditional knowledge.

We hope our visitors took away a better understanding of: (1) Indigenous ingenuity and resilience; (2) how humans adapted to climate change; (3) the art and craft of hide processing in the Ice Age and by Tribal members today – connecting the past and present; (4) how Oregon’s unique archaeological record teaches us about the past and informs questions of global importance.

We are grateful to have been a part of this truly special event. Many thanks to the team leaders, Dr. Virginia Butler and Lyssia Merrifield, and everyone who made it possible. Follow the Archaeology Roadshow’s website or social media to learn how you can get involved in the future!

 

May 2, 2025

Connley Caves and the Traditional Nutrition Project featured in the Mammoth Trumpet

Research at the Connley Caves and the Traditional Nutrition Project are featured in the latest volume of the Mammoth Trumpet. Botanical studies at the Connley Caves show that Indigenous communities harvested diverse, nutrient-rich plant foods during the Ice Age—not just big game. Collaborations between Katelyn McDonough, Geoffrey Smith, Perry Chocktoot, Jr., Richie Rosencrance, and others highlights the nutritional and cultural importance of plant foods, while fostering meaningful partnerships and promoting Indigenous perspectives and practices.

If you are interested in a PDF of this article, please email Katelyn McDonough at kmcdonou@uoregon.edu.

 

December 29, 2024

We’re moving!

The GBA Lab is currently in the process of moving locations. This is a big process and we are grateful for all the help from students, volunteers, and the Museum. Please bear with us as we complete the final stages of this relocation. We are excited to settle in and resume all our regular programming soon!

 

December 7, 2024

Field School Featured in American Archaeology Magazine

The latest issue of American Archaeology Magazine features an article on the Connley Caves, Paisley Caves, and other early cultural sites throughout the west. Article author Tamara Steward does a nice job highlighting some big questions in Pleistocene archaeology, and the role of field schools in training professional archaeologists.

 

October 24, 2024

New Paper in PaleoAmerica

Led by Richie Rosencrance and in collaboration with other GBA Lab members, Bayesian Analysis of Haskett Projectile Point Radiocarbon Dates in the Intermountain West Demonstrates Contemporaneity with Clovis and Folsom Points integrates new radiocarbon dates with existing chronological data to understand the age of distinct Western Stemmed points known as Haskett. Results indicate that people west of the Rockies began making Hasketts around the same time people in the east were making Clovis points, ca. 13,260-12,895 years ago.