Soils and stratigraphy of the laddie creek site (48BH345), an altithermal-age occupation in the big horn mountains,wyoming

Haploborolls and Ustifluvents with A-C horizonation characterize Holocene soil development in alluvium and colluvium of the Laddie Creek valley. Cumulic soils with overthickened A horizons, including those of Altithermal age, have formed along the valley walls under the influence of spring activity from the Amsden Formation (Mississippian-Pennsylvanian). Soil texture, mineralogy, and to some extent color, are inherited largely from sediment derived from the Amsden and Tensleep (Pennsylvanian) Formations. The valley was able to support human occupation during Altithermal time (ca. 7500-4000 B.P.) because of springs emanating from the valley walls. Past spring locations are identified from soil morphology and stratigraphy. Springs are still active along the valley, although they have shifted positions many times in the past. The association of spring soils with Altithermal-age occupation at the site (ca. 6600-5700 B.P.) does not coincide with the caliche concept of the Altithermal paleosol in Holocene alluvial valleys in Wyoming basins as identified by Leopold and Miller. Nevertheless, early man of Altithermal time probably sought higher elevations within mountains of the region where springs offered water and the environs provided food and shelter—thus enabling human groups to survive the drought, and possible high temperatures, which seemingly prevailed in the basins and plains.