Reconstructing the culture history of the multicomponent site Squires Ridge (31ED365) within the northern Coastal Plain of North Carolina

Squires Ridge is a multicomponent, stratified site situated atop a relict sand dune in Eastern North Carolina. Previous research has emphasized site formation, delineation, and most recently occupation. The purpose of this study was a reconstruction of the cultural chronology of the central portion of the Squires Ridge for comparison to previous analyses from the southern portion of the site. This study identified four occupation zones buried within the upper meter of aeolian sand. These occupation zones date to the Early Archaic, Middle Archaic, Late Archaic and Early to Middle Woodland periods. The identified occupations are largely consistent with those identified previously at Squires Ridge. The evidence for intact, stratified occupations is strongly suggested by the high frequency of refitted artifacts occurring within levels containing high artifact frequencies, and artifact clusters indicated on trench backplots. Squires Ridge is the second site in the North Carolina Coastal Plain with such stratified remains, after Barber Creek. Great potential exists at Squires Ridge to answer questions related to the early prehistory of the North Carolina Coastal Plain.