The Shire Site is an archaeological research site located in Logan County, Illinois, United States. It is an archaeological site associated with the Sangamon River system and is notable for the artifacts and structural remains discovered there.
Location and Physical Setting
The Shire Site is situated near a lake believed to have formed during the Holocene epoch. The lake is surrounded by forested areas containing large trees used for timber. A slope near the lake's shores makes the site topographically unique within the Sangamon River system; this slope prevents archaeologists from using the same survey methods applied to surrounding areas, as those methods become unreliable given the local terrain. The total area of archaeological interest is of unknown size due to private ownership of the land.
Excavation Findings
The excavated portion of the site revealed two houses with subterranean elements, along with a variety of ceramics and other artifacts. It is estimated that the site was occupied around 1000 AD.
Ceramic Significance
A significant quantity of ceramic fragments was recovered from the site, making it one of only two sites out of hundreds within the Sangamon River system to have yielded ceramics. The ceramics indicate that Late Woodland ceramic methods were used in their formation. Additionally, evidence shows attempts to combine two distinct ceramic-making traditions: Late Woodland and Mississippian culture. The presence of multiple pottery types suggests that the inhabitants of the Shire Site were not originally from the Sangamon River area. Although the ceramics were found within houses—implying everyday domestic use—the quality of the pottery is notable, suggesting they were made by someone with training and experience. The ceramics were likely brought from an area further south.
Faunal Research
A large quantity of deer, fish, and other animal remains indicates that the Shire Site was occupied while the lake was present and local wildlife was abundant. Although the animal species represented can be found year-round, research suggests the site may have been used only during the summer, based on the absence of winter antler shedding found on the deer skulls.
Interpretation
The Shire Site was likely a trading outpost connecting Mississippian peoples with the Late Woodland area, given its unique location and the analysis of the ceramic findings. The structure of the house suggests the site was plausibly a place of long-term residence. The variety of artifact types indicates that Mississippian and Late Woodland peoples regularly traded with one another.
References
The primary published source on the site is John Claflin's work, "The Shire Site: Mississippian Outpost in the Central Illinois Prairie" (Diachronic Research Associates, 1991).
