Overall spatial pattern recognition in diagnostic Folsom artifacts from the Central Plains

Summary

This study investigates the overall spatial patterns in diagnostic Folsom artifacts from the Central Plains, including distributions of reduction stages and projectile point fragment types. Examination of the overall distribution of reduction stages reveals that Folsom and Midland projectile points are concentrated in western Nebraska and along the southern tier of Nebraska counties bordering Kansas. Folsom preforms were concentrated in western Nebraska, with approximately half of them found at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers in Keith and Lincoln counties. Although certainly underrepresented because they are less recognizable, the nine channel flakes in the sample were all found in western Nebraska. In terms of the spatial patterns seen in the projectile point fragment types, projectile point bases are concentrated in the western portion of Nebraska and in the southern and southeastern counties of the state. The largest concentration of projectile point tips is at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers. In conclusion, the results of this study are discussed in terms of how these patterns can potentially inform us about components of Folsom peoples’ organization and activities on the landscape.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 13209