Fall Nut Processing
During Renox site investigations, archaeologists found large quantities of nuts, primarily black walnut, on what had once been the edge of an old river bank. This suggested that residents during the Middle Woodland period had processed large amounts of fall-harvested nuts in this spot for later use.
Nuts are a high-yield food resource. They are nutritious, calorie-dense, and an excellent source of protein. Processing nuts into food, however, involved intensive preparation. Native residents had to crack, grind, boil, and heat the nuts before they could make nut oil or nut cakes for later use.
While at the site, Woodland groups also may have processed and eaten starchy-oily seeded plants they grew in their gardens. Maygrass was the main domesticated Native garden plant found at the site, followed by goosefoot and sunflower.