North American Archaeology

Position Paper #1

Your first position paper focuses on the early settlement of North America during what archaeologists call the Paleoindian period (ca. pre-12,000 to 10,000 before present – B.P.). Many questions exist concerning when, where, how, and why the first people entered North America. Despite these issues, archaeologists agree that the first groups arrived no later than about 13,000 years ago, and probably considerably earlier. When the first groups arrived, the latest Pleistocene glaciation (Wisconsin) was retreating to the north, but environmental conditions were still much colder than today’s. Over the next 5,000 years, glacial conditions gradually ameliorated and by about 8,000 years ago, essentially modern environmental conditions existed throughout much of the North American continent.

Directions:Compare and contrast the ways of life associated with the Early PaleoIndian archaeological culture (Clovis – pre-12,000 B.P.) with those of Late PaleoIndian groups (ca. 8,000-10,000 B.P.). Address issues such as paleoenvironmental conditions, subsistence practices, population distributions and densities, group mobility and settlement strategies, and technologies. How have archaeologists interpreted evidence for greater cultural diversity among Late Paleoindian groups compared to earlier Clovis groups?

Your paper should be 2-3 pages long (double spaced) and include a bibliography of sources used for the assignment.