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.
6-506: The Schultz site , also known as Mira Creek site , and designated by archaeologists with the Smithsonian trinomial 25 VY 1 , is a major prehistoric archaeological site near North Loup, Nebraska . It is the largest Middle Woodland period site in the state, covering 30,000 square feet (2,800 m), with layers suggestive of repeated occupation. It is one of the oldest sites in the state exhibiting evidence of pottery manufacture. It
12-407: 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 the state abbreviation and a sequential number series for the whole state. Delaware uses a single letter code for counties and adds
18-543: 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 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
24-698: The Valley Variant or Valley Focus, was active roughly between CE 1 and 500; this site is considered to be the type site for the culture. The site was first excavated in the 1930s under the auspices of the Nebraska State Historical Society, and with funding from the Works Progress Administration , and was instrumental in identifying the Valley Focus, the first cultural taxon to be identified n
30-417: The prehistory of the region. As of 2008, it had not been reexamined since 1939. Ceramic finds at the site include reconstructable remains of at least five pots, and many sherds and incomplete pots. The reconstructed pots range in size from 2.4 to 17.5 inches (6.1 to 44.5 cm) in height, with cord markings. Smithsonian trinomial Most states use trinomials of the form "nnAAnnnn", but some specify
36-503: Was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The Schultz site is located in the drainage basin of the North Loup River , on the north bank of Mira Creek. The site is that of a village, with evidence of at least nine lodge sites and three storage pits identified during excavations. Finds at the site suggest that the occupants were largely hunter-gatherers, hunting bison, deer, and other large fauna. The culture, known as
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