A Smithsonian trinomial (formally the Smithsonian Institution Trinomial System , abbreviated SITS ) is a unique identifier assigned to archaeological sites in many states in the United States . Trinomials are composed of a one or two digit coding for the state, typically two letters coding for the county or county-equivalent within the state, and one or more sequential digits representing the order in which the site was listed in that county. The Smithsonian Institution developed the site number system in the 1930s and 1940s, but it no longer maintains the system. Trinomials are now assigned by the individual states. The 48 states then in the union were assigned numbers in alphabetical order. Alaska was assigned number 49 and Hawaii was assigned number 50, after those states were admitted to the union. There is no Smithsonian trinomial number assigned for the District of Columbia or any United States territory.
8-676: The Atchafalaya Basin Mounds ( 16 SMY 10 ) (variously known as the Patterson Mounds , Patterson site , Moro Plantation Mounds and as the protohistoric village of Qiteet Kuti´ngi Na´mu by the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana ) is an archaeological site originally occupied by peoples of the Coastal Coles Creek and Plaquemine cultures beginning around 980 CE, and by their presumed historic period descendants,
16-601: The Chitimacha, during the 18th century. It is located in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana on the northern bank of Bayou Teche at its confluence with the Lower Atchafalaya River . It consists of several earthen platform mounds and a shell midden situated around a central plaza . The site was visited by Clarence Bloomfield Moore in 1913. All of the features at the site are badly eroded, sustaining damage over
24-399: The base of Mound A along the southwestern edge of the plaza toward the southeast is a shell midden consisting of high concentrations of Rangia cuneata shell, grog-tempered Plaquemine culture pottery sherds and other artifacts. Its terminus at the southern point of the plaza may have been the location of a fourth mound possibly described in early accounts of the site. The combined area of
32-481: The mounds and plaza covers 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres), although village habitation areas are thought to have existed outside this main precinct. Smithsonian trinomial Most states use trinomials of the form "nnAAnnnn", but some specify a space or dash between parts of the identifier, i.e., "nn AA nnnn" or "nn-AA-nnnn". Some states use variations of the trinomial system. Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont use two-letter abbreviations of
40-569: The state abbreviation and a sequential number series for the whole state. Delaware uses a single letter code for counties and adds a block code (A-K) within each county, with sequential numbers for each block. Hawaii uses a four-part identifier, "50" for the state, a two-digit code for the island, then a two-digit code to designate the USGS topographical quad, plus a four digit sequential site number for sites on each island. NN: One or two digit number, 1 though 16, identifying rectangles (15 ' USGS maps) in
48-583: The state name instead of the Smithsonian number. Alaska uses three-letter abbreviations for USGS map quadrangles in place of the county code. Arizona uses a five-part identifier based on USGS maps, specifying quadrangles, then rectangles within a quadrangle, a sequential number within the rectangle, and a code identifying the agency issuing the sequential number. California uses a three-letter abbreviation for counties. Connecticut and Rhode Island do not use any sub-state codes, with site identifiers consisting of
56-478: The western corner of the plaza is Mound A, the largest of the existing mounds. It is approximately 2.8 metres (9.2 ft) in height and 30 metres (98 ft) in diameter. Mound B, at 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) in height, is located 25 metres (82 ft) to the northeast. 30 metres (98 ft) to the southeast of Mound B is Mound C, a low rectangular platform .8 metres (2.6 ft) in height, although it may have once been much taller. An elevated area that extends from
64-443: The years from natural forces , pot hunters , and joy riders on ATVs . The site currently consists of three platform mounds and a raised shell midden ringing a rectangular central plaza area. A fourth mound at the southern edge of the site may have existed; but over time has been eroded away into the adjacent Bayou Teche. The plaza area, delineated by the mounds and shell midden, covers approximately .44 hectares (1.1 acres). Located at
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