Stone Circles in the Montana Rockies: Relict Households and Transitory Communities

Abstract

Archaeological investigations at the Pilgrim open-air habitation site (24BW675), conducted in 1979, 1980, 1981 , and 1982 on the elevated western margin of the Townsend Basin in southwestern Montana, led to excavation of 40 (55%) of the estimated 71 stone circles, two exterior features, and one rockpile. Artifacts and radiocarbon dates establish intermittent site occupation from Late Middle Prehistoric (Pelican Lake phase) into Late Prehistoric (Avonlea and Old Women’s phases) period times, that is, from ca. 1400 B.C. to A.D. 1450. Shelter from wind and presence of perennial fresh water, woody plants, quality lithics, loosened bedrock (for stone circle construction), game, and edible plants contributed to repetitive site occupation over time. Several physical indicators suggest particular culture-historical linkages among certain of the excavated stone circles. The stone circles are regarded as vacated households or lodges, past occupations of which comprised discrete but ephemeral communities that represent sequent settlement episodes. Certain data requirements and limitations inherent in this approach to archaeological interpretation of hunter-gather settlement phenomena are illustrated.