pip. nI)^' 2lT' McNARY RESERVOIR — SHINER 191 



balance existed between hunting, gathering, and fishing. The latter 

 was very likely the most important to the economy. 



FURTHER OBSERVATIONS 



Rodent activity at the Cold Springs site had been extensive. It 

 showed clearly in all profiles, for many of the burrows contained the 

 dead white volcanic ash from the substratum that contrasted sharply 

 with the gray sandy midden. One thing did a great deal to prevent 

 wholesale mixing of the midden; that was the thick dense layer of 

 mussel shells which interposed itself approximately halfway between 

 the volcanic ash and the surface of the site. Thus, burrowing above 

 the shell layer rarely penetrated below it. The burrows below the 

 shell layer seemed to be confined to the period prior to the shell deposi- 

 tion. In spite of the labyrinth of holes, most fireplaces, house floors, 

 and other features were still discernible. Fishbones were often still 

 articulated, and fragments of fiber matting were in situ. 



A peculiar feature that did not lend itself to categorical treatment 

 was found at a depth between 2i/2 and 3 feet. It consisted of a care- 

 fully piled mass of 79 flat river- worn cobbles. The stones were 4 to 7 

 inches in diameter and 1^ to 3 inches thick. They showed no evidence 

 of burning, flaking, or hammering. Centered beneath the cairn was 

 a single scapula of an elk and nothing else. There is, of course, room 

 for much speculation on the interpretation of this feature. No refer- 

 ence to such practice could be found in the ethnographic literature. 



There were one or two things evident in the settlement pattern at 

 the Cold Springs site. First, the material which seemed to be rela- 

 tively early was concentrated at the western and west-central portion 

 of the site. The later materials were found there, as well as consid- 

 erably farther to the east. The exact limits of the earlier part of 

 the occupation were not determined. The pit houses on the site, that 

 is, the surface depressions, were divided into two groups (map 4). 

 There were 11 houses at the western end, 6 houses at the eastern end, 

 and a space of 500 feet in between. If there were houses in the space 

 between the two groups, no surface indications remained. 



SITE 35-UM-17 (TECHUMTAS ISLAND) 



The Techumtas Island site is located about li/^ miles northeast and 

 upstream from the Cold Springs site. The island, which is also known 

 as Hoodoo or Sweitzer's Island, is approximately 9 miles upstream 

 from the McNary Dam. From east to west it is just under 3 miles 

 in length, and it varies between i^ and % miles in width. During 

 most of the year, the channel on the southern side is dry, so that only 

 during the late spring and early summer does it really become an 

 island. 



