A Mixed Methods Approach to Dendroarchaeology: A Case Study in the Horse Heaven Hills
Faculty Mentor
Lauren Stachowiak
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 1:00 PM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Geosciences
Abstract
The Horse Heaven Hills are located in South Central Washington State and are home to many past homesteads and towns that no longer exist. One such location is Horse Heaven, an abandoned town near Prosser, Washington, which is now entirely on private property. The majority of the initial structures are now gone, with only building footprints and relic property treelines remaining. However, one structure remains; it appears to be the remnants of a small mill and storage house. In this project, we use a combination of dendrochronology and satellite imagery analysis in conjunction with historical records to reconstruct the town's history. While definitive cutting dates of the sole remaining structure could not be determined, we lay out a basic framework for future mixed methods dendroarchaeology projects. Combining remotely sensed, high-resolution satellite imagery with the data acquired from structures can provide a richer and more detailed site history than just tree rings alone.
Recommended Citation
Slater, Matthew Ronald and Stachowiak, Lauren PhD, "A Mixed Methods Approach to Dendroarchaeology: A Case Study in the Horse Heaven Hills" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 25.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p2_2024/25
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
A Mixed Methods Approach to Dendroarchaeology: A Case Study in the Horse Heaven Hills
PUB NCR
The Horse Heaven Hills are located in South Central Washington State and are home to many past homesteads and towns that no longer exist. One such location is Horse Heaven, an abandoned town near Prosser, Washington, which is now entirely on private property. The majority of the initial structures are now gone, with only building footprints and relic property treelines remaining. However, one structure remains; it appears to be the remnants of a small mill and storage house. In this project, we use a combination of dendrochronology and satellite imagery analysis in conjunction with historical records to reconstruct the town's history. While definitive cutting dates of the sole remaining structure could not be determined, we lay out a basic framework for future mixed methods dendroarchaeology projects. Combining remotely sensed, high-resolution satellite imagery with the data acquired from structures can provide a richer and more detailed site history than just tree rings alone.
