Huber in the Protohistoric Shadowlands

Analysis of the previously excavated Palos site in northeastern Illinois has brought to light new evidence suggesting it is one of possibly only a few protohistoric Huber occupations in the region. Trade beads and native artifacts made from European derived copper were present at this single-component Huber site, which radiocarbon evidence places no later than the early seventeenth century. Ceramic evidence further suggests Huber potters were beginning to incorporate stylistic attributes more often seen on wares associated with groups arriving later in Illinois, and coming from the east (i.e., Danner and Keating wares). The presence of European materials solidly within a Huber phase context along with the observable material changes in Huber ceramic technology provide an unprecedented and unadulterated glimpse of changes occurring at the juncture of late prehistory and history in the Illinois Country.