Landscape Evolution

This is part of a long-term collaborative project under Dr. Karl Leonard (MSUM) to study the influence landscape evolution has played on the occupation and activities of indigenous peoples in the area now occupied by the MSUM Regional Science Center. Archeological sites have been discovered by faculty in the Department of Anthropology and Earth Sciences at MSUM (M. Michlovic; G. Holly; R. Dalan). 

Past geologic work has focused on examining core samples taken in close proximity to the Archeological sites (cores collected by students from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire under Dr. Gary Running), a profile workup of the Borrow Pit site, and a preliminary workup of a smaller river cut near another site of archaeological significance in the RSC. 

The Main Cut

The Main Cut represents the most complete depositional history in the region.
This is currently the most active area of further research. The detailed depositional history being recorded appears to show multiple glacial events followed by the development of offshore bars, vital in our understanding of soil preservation.

The Borrow Pit

The Borrow Pit:
Profile excavation of the Borrow Pit exposed a thick buried soil horizon, prompting further research in the area. Initial thoughts were that artifact burial and buried soils horizons would be seen together.

Core Analysis

Cores collected throughout the RSC were described by members of the research team. Together the core have been used for early paleoenvironmental reconstruction and will be used to develop deposition profiles in the future.