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Fluted Projectile Point Distributions and Early Human Populations in Saskatchewan

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Fluted Projectile Point Distributions and Early Human Populations in Saskatchewan POINTING IT OUT: FLUTED PROJECTILE POINT DISTRIBUTIONS AND EARLY HUMAN POPULATIONS IN SASKATCHEWAN by Jonathan B. Hall B.A., University of Saskatchewan 2004 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the Department of Archaeology © Jonathan B. Hall 2009 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2009 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Jonathan Hall Degree: MA Title of Thesis: Pointing it Out: Fluted Projectile Point Distributions and Early Human Populations in Saskatchewan Examining Committee: Chair: RossJamieson AssociateProfessor, Archaeology Knut Fladmark SeniorSupervisor ProfessorEmeritus, Archaeology Jon Driver Supervisor Professor,A rchaeology Arthur Roberts Examiner Professor,Geography lv ',:'q/'-i{'4';?:i 'l ":-('{-'"f' DateDefended/Approved: ) v Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection (currently available to the public at the “Institutional Repository” link of the SFU Library website <www.lib.sfu.ca> at: <http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/handle/1892/112>) and, without changing the content, to translate the thesis/project or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission. Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. While licensing SFU to permit the above uses, the author retains copyright in the thesis, project or extended essays, including the right to change the work for subsequent purposes, including editing and publishing the work in whole or in part, and licensing other parties, as the author may desire. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Last revision: Spring 09 ABSTRACT This study investigates early Paleo-Indian expansion into Saskatchewan as reflected by the distribution of fluted projectile points compared to Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene environmental changes. With an assemblage consisting solely of fluted point surface finds, this study consists of a geographic distribution analysis. An initial study of Saskatchewan’s fluted projectile points, conducted in 1966 by Tom Kehoe, made use of information from the then known database, consisting of a mere 36 artifacts. The current study examines the modern database of 78 specimens and discusses the distributions of the three separate types of fluted points found in Saskatchewan and the validity of applying terms (Clovis, Folsom, and Northwestern) derived outside the province to them. Not only does Saskatchewan’s assemblage reflect distributional differences between each fluted point type as a result of late Pleistocene/early Holocene environmental changes, but it shows typological similarities to assemblages elsewhere and changes in a time progressive manner. Keywords: Paleoindian, Fluted Points, Late Pleistocene, Northern Plains Subject Terms: Archaeological Survey – North America, North America – Antiquities, Paleo-Indians, Paleo-Indians – Implements, Projectile Points iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The development, production and completion of this work would not have been possible without the advice, support and encouragement of a multitude of individuals. It is here that I offer thanks from the deepest caverns of my heart. I would like to start by thanking my supervisor Dr. Knut Fladmark. The wealth of knowledge that he has shared and his advice has been invaluable, not only in the completion of this project, but also in the enhancement of my thought process and my personal development within the discipline of Archaeology. Knut’s creativity coupled with his wisdom is astounding and has awed me on numerous occasions. I am deeply grateful for all that he has shared. I would also like to thank Dr. Jon Driver. His suggestions, support, and direction provided valuable strength and substance to this project and were crucial to its final success. As busy an individual as he is, he has always made time for me, to meet and work through problems. The broad knowledge shared by Dr. Arthur Roberts has been very useful. His comments and suggestions have enabled me to open my eyes that much further and have advanced my thirst for knowledge, which will no doubt play a major role in my professional career. Dr. David Meyer (University of Saskatchewa) has been the cornerstone of my development. This project would not have come to be if it were not for iv David’s passion and knowledge. He took a chance on a lowly, yet eager, undergraduate and without his support I would not be where I am today. Thank you David. I would also like to thank Dr. Roy Carlson, Dr. Alan McMillan, Jack Ives, Tim Jones, Dr. David Burley and Dr. Dana Lepofsky for their shared knowledge and guidance. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Roy Carlson for the number of times I arrived at his office unannounced and left with enthusiasm, optimism and additional knowledge. I have received important input and suggestions, in all aspects of my thesis, from many of my friends and colleagues. In particular, I would like to thank Sean Patrick and Jesse Connaughton, Michael Klassen, Amanda King, Kristina Bowie, Cinnamon Dagsvik and Derece Powell. I would like to thank all of the private collectors who have contributed to the Saskatchewan fluted projectile point database by making their collections available to the Archaeological community. In particular, I would like to thank Brenda Sarazin and her partner and Stanley Durr. Financial support was provided by Simon Fraser University in the form of a graduate fellowship and teacher assistantships. Last, but definitely not least, I would like to thank my parents David and Geralyn Hall for their love, guidance and support. My father’s skills, knowledge and technical abilities have saved me countless hours of edits and helped me work through, what otherwise would have been very unpleasant formatting woes. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval.............................................................................................................. ii Abstract.............................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements........................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .............................................................................................. vi List of Figures.................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ...................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction...................................................................................... 1 Objectives ......................................................................................................... 3 Hypotheses ....................................................................................................... 3 Methodology...................................................................................................... 4 Field Research............................................................................................... 4 Literary Research........................................................................................... 6 Thesis Organization .......................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2: Study area and cultural background.............................................. 9 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 9 Study Area ...................................................................................................... 10 Early Paleoindian Period on the Plains ........................................................... 13 Early Paleoindian Chronology...................................................................... 16 Saskatchewan’s Early Paleoindian Projectile Points and Associated Artifacts......................................................................................... 20 Artifact Types Associated with Fluted Point Assemblages........................... 22 Cultural Adaptations on the Northern Plains ..................................................
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