Reconstructing Crenshaw: A Geomorphic Study of an Archeological Site in the Red River Valley

L. Persing and M. J. Guccione
Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

The Red River, located in Southwest Arkansas, is a highly active fluvial system that is studied by both geomorphologists and archeologists because of its prolific channel migration throughout human history. Three cores were taken along a transect close to the Crenshaw Archeological Site. In this study, soil cores and grain size analysis techniques were used to create a cross section which would help reconstruct the paleo-environment buried under modern sediments. Using this model and interdisciplinary knowledge, the hope is to better constrain the time frame and increase the knowledge of the former inhabitants.

Previous studies have been conducted in this general area leading to greater knowledge of many archeological sites and geomorphic features. One major note in history shows that the First Old River Lake had been a meander of the Red River, but was then cut off within the records of the first settlers. Given this evidence, modern records can be cross examined with the deposition uncovered in the soil cores and archeological records.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90181©2013 AAPG/SEG Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, September 27-30, 2013