William Hoffman '07 of Baltimore, Md., is working on a summer research project with Associate Professor of Geosciences David Bailey titled "Chemical characterization of chert source material in the Great Basin of Central Nevada." (Chert is a very hard sedimentary rock). Hoffman spent two weeks in the Great Basin collecting samples and is now on campus preparing the samples for geochemical analysis.
Hoffman, a geoscience major, traveled to Nevada with Bailey and Mary Beth Day '07, where they met up with Professor of Archaeology Tom Jones. The primary goal of the whole project is to expand the geochemical database of artifact source materials (the rocks that could have made a particular artifact) in the Great Basin. The archaeological artifacts in the Great Basin are the most important source of information about the lives of early Native Americans in the area. Chemical analysis of the artifacts and of their potential source rocks enables archaeologists to trace Native American mobility and foraging patterns. This kind of analysis can provide clues as to where material was collected to make these artifacts as well as a measure of the geographic territory that was utilized by the Native American groups in this region.
Hoffman's research focuses on geochemical analysis of artifacts and source material, particularly chert source materials. The samples will be analyzed by X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy to attempt to determine specifically which artifacts came from which areas. This "geochemical fingerprinting" has been done with other source materials, but no considerable work has been done with chert. "This project is significant because it will be leading the way for the study of the distribution of chert sources in the Great Basin," said Hoffman in his research proposal.
"Everything ran really smoothly; the trip was great," said Hoffman, who plans to do an independent study during the spring semester to continue with this project. This was his first experience doing field work as well as his first summer working on campus.
Campus is a lot prettier in the summer. It's nice to actually have free time, which I don't have a lot of during the year," said Hoffman, who, in addition to academic work, does radio broadcasting for Hamilton sports.
Hoffman hopes to continue his studies in the geosciences after he graduates from Hamilton.
-- by Laura Trubiano '07
