Paleoindian Responses at the Younger Dryas Boundary: A Case Study from the Carolinas

Summary

The onset of the Younger Dryas stadial is thought to have occurred during the Clovis period. The cause of the Younger Dryas and the near simultaneous disappearance of the Clovis techno-culture in North America continues to be a set of events that are not well understood. Debates exist regarding the cause of the Younger Dryas and its possible affects on climate, plants and animals as well as humans. The archaeological record stands apart from these disciplines as an independent source of data and possible insights. Archaeological studies in the Carolinas are providing compelling evidence regarding Clovis settlement systems and demography and the immediately succeeding post-Clovis fluted point period. During Clovis times two geographically separate but adjacent macro bands are thought to have existed in North and South Carolina, respectively. In the immediately following time period defined by instrument-assisted fluted points (Redstones), projectile point frequency drops dramatically and territorial ranges contract. Significant technological change also exists between Clovis and Redstone points. During this period a possible travel way running along the Fall Line from near Raleigh, North Carolina, to the Savannah River suggests that some cultural connections between the former Clovis macro bands still existed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage