Plant Materials from Burned Structures at the East St. Louis Site

A number of burned structures dating to the Stirling Phase of occupation were identified during excavations in Tract 5 of the East St Louis Site (11 S506/5). Includ-ed is Structure 181, which, based on its large size and the presence of exotic and ritual artifacts, is interpreted to have functioned as a temple and been the locus of Mississippian ritual activities. In contrast are fourteen smaller burned structures that likely served as domestic residences. Analysis of burned timbers and flotation samples from both the temple and domestic structures has been initiated to discern if they evidence differences in construction material selection or plant use practices coincident with their presumed functions. Additionally, Structure 181 yielded the remnants of plaited cane matting, an artifact type that has not yet been described from American Bottom contexts. In this paper, I present the preliminary results of those ongoing analyses and their implications for understanding the nature of this unique occupation.