Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Paleomagnetic Applications In Archaeology: Analysis Of Fire-Cracked Rocks At Camano Island Site, Tracy Anunsen

Summer Research

Both archaeological and paleomagnetic data (specifically thermal remnant magnetization, or TRM) are being utilized in an effort to determine the temperature of heating for fire-cracked rocks (FCRs) found at a pre-contact site on Camano Island in Island County, WA. If temperatures were high enough to reach the Curie temperatures of any magnetic minerals contained within the rocks, the resulting information may permit inferences as to the fuels used and the purpose of the fires. The Camano Island site is thought to be a later pre-contact Kikiallus site, containing shell debris and human remains in addition to the FCRs. Samples show …