Climate Change at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary in the Pacific Orn Thwest: a Comparison of Proxy Datasets and the Archaeologicial Record Tiffany J
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Eastern Washington University EWU Digital Commons EWU Masters Thesis Collection Student Research and Creative Works 2012 Climate change at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary in the Pacific orN thwest: a comparison of proxy datasets and the archaeologicial record Tiffany J. Fulkerson Eastern Washington University Follow this and additional works at: http://dc.ewu.edu/theses Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, and the Paleobiology Commons Recommended Citation Fulkerson, Tiffany J., "Climate change at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary in the Pacific orN thwest: a comparison of proxy datasets and the archaeologicial record" (2012). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 64. http://dc.ewu.edu/theses/64 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research and Creative Works at EWU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in EWU Masters Thesis Collection by an authorized administrator of EWU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE PLEISTOCENE-HOLOCENE BOUNDARY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: A COMPARISON OF PROXY DATASETS AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD A Thesis Presented To The Departments of Anthropology and Geography, History Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts By Tiffany J. Fulkerson August 2012 ii iii iv Abstract The relationship between climate change at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary (ca. 12,600-10,200 cal B.P.) and cultural responses to attendant shifts in the environment remains a vexing issue for archaeologists. This study compiles and analyzes glacial, palynological, faunal, and stratigraphic/geomorphological proxy datasets for climate change in the Pacific Northwest of North America and compares them to the coeval archaeological record. The primary purpose of this exercise is to consider the potential ways in which climate change at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary affected cultural development for Late Paleoindian-Early Archaic peoples in the Pacific Northwest. Results indicate that climatic and environmental change at this interval was rapid or abrupt, and of a magnitude that likely produced varying adaptational responses by peoples of different cultural traditions who appear across the region at this period. Transformations in tools and technology, shifts in dietary habits, migration and regionalization, and trade intensification are all elements of Late Paleoindian-Early Archaic cultural responses to rapid climate change. v Acknowledgements The completion of this research would not have been possible without the assistance and support of many people. First and foremost, I would like thank my advisor, Jerry R. Galm, for providing invaluable knowledge, experience, and inspiration throughout the entirety of my graduate career. I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to members of my committee, Robert R. Sauders and Paul Victor, for offering me insight and feedback on this study. Special thanks go out to Stan Gough, Rebecca Stevens, Dana Komen, and the entire staff of Archaeological and Historical Services for granting me years of guidance, professional support, laboratory facilities, and valuable resources. Thanks are also due to my fellow colleague and former classmate, Jamie M. Litzkow, for editing this research and providing years of advice and novel conversation. I would also like to thank Stephen Westleigh for offering understanding and support in the completion of this study. Finally, I am forever indebted to my parents, Rosa and Steve Jasso, for bestowing on me a lifetime of encouragement, love, patience, and limitless guidance. vi Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………........................... ..iv Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………….…..v List of Figures………………………………………………………………………........ix List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………......x Chapter 1: Introduction …………………………………………………………….......1 Statement of Problem………………………………………………………….....1 Methodology……………………………………………………………………..4 Chapter 2: Climatic and Environmental Background …………………………….. .... 6 Introduction…………………………………………………………………...…6 Paleoclimates and Paleoenvironments of the Pleistocene and Holocene………………………………………………………………...….. .7 Early-Late Pleistocene: 2.5 Million Years Ago-ca. 11,400 cal B.P………………………………….... 7 Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary: ca. 12,600-10,200 cal B.P…………….....8 Early Holocene: 11,400-9000 cal B.P……………………………………......9 Mid-Holocene Cold Reversal: ca. 8200 cal B.P………………………….....11 Evidence for Abrupt or Rapid Climate Change at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary………….…………………………………...... 12 Forcing Mechanisms for Climate Change……………………………………... .13 Discussion……………………………………………………….........................14 Chapter 3: Glaciological Proxy Datasets for Climate Change …............................. .. 15 Introduction…………………………………………........................................ .. .15 Late Pleistocene-Younger Dryas Glaciation…………………………………... ... 15 Cascade Range………………………………………….........................18 Fraser Lowland………………………………………………………... ..20 Northern Rocky Mountains………………………………………..….. ..... 20 Early Holocene-Mid-Holocene Glaciation…………………………………..….21 Cascade Range…………………………………………............................. 22 Wallowa Mountains…………………………………………................ .... 24 Northern Rocky Mountains………………………………………….... ..... 24 Discussion…………………………………………………………………..….. .24 vii Chapter 4: Palynological Proxy Datasets for Climate Change …………………....... 27 Introduction…………………………………………………………………….27 Pollen Record During the Late Pleistocene: Last Glacial………………………28 Pollen Record During the Late Pleistocene: Younger Dryas Chronozone……………………………………………………......................... ... 36 Puget Lowland…………………………….............................................37 Cascade Range……………………………............................................ ... 38 Okanogan Lowland and Highland ……………………………...............38 Columbia Plateau …………………………….........................................39 Northern Rocky Mountains ……………………………......................... .40 River Valleys of the Northern Rocky Mountains …………………….... .41 Pollen Record during the Early Holocene……………………………………....42 Puget Lowland…………………………….............................................44 Cascade Range…………………………….............................................45 Okanogan Lowland and Highland ……………………………...............45 Columbia Plateau …………………………….........................................46 Northern Rocky Mountains ……………………………........................ ... 47 River Valleys of the Northern Rocky Mountains………………..………... 48 Palynological Events Associated with the 8200 cal B.P. Cooling Event………………………………………………………….………... 49 Discussion………………………………………………………........................50 Chapter 5: Faunal Proxy Datasets for Climate Change ……………………….…...53 Introduction…………………………………………………………………….53 Late Pleistocene Fauna……………………………………………....……..….. .. 54 Fauana at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary………………………….…..…57 Early Holocene Fauna…………………………………………………………. .. 58 Discussion………………………………………………………………….…...59 Chapter 6: Stratigraphic/Geomorphic Proxy Datasets for Climate Change ……...61 Introduction……………………………………………………………………..61 Olympic Peninsula ………………………………………………………….…..67 Manis Site………………………………………………………………67 Columbia Plateau …………………………………………………………….…68 Wells Reservoir Region………………………………………………...68 Rocky Reach of the Columbia River Valley.…………………….……. .. 68 Richey-Roberts Site……………………………………………….…….69 Johnsons Canyon………………………………………………….……69 viii Bishop Spring Site………………………………………………….…..70 Lind Coulee Site………………………………………………….…….70 BPA Springs Site……………………………………………….………70 Yakima Training Center……………………………………….………. .. 71 Sentinel Gap Site………………………………………………………..71 Marmes Rockshelter…………………………………………….……... .73 Granite Point Site……………………………………………….….…...73 Hatwai Site…………………………………………………………….. ... 74 Benton Meadows…………….………………………………….…....... .74 Lower Salmon River Canyon ………………………………………….............. .. 74 Northern Rocky Mountains ……………………………………………………. .. 75 McArthur Lake Vicinity……………………………………….………. .75 South Fork Payette River…………………………………………........ ... 76 Snake River Plain ………………………………………………………….…... .. 76 Grand Ronde Valley …………………………………………………………….77 Central Oregon Coast ………………………………………………………..….78 Discussion ……………………………………………………………….……...78 Chapter 7: Conclusion ………………………………………………………………... .. 81 Introduction…………………………………………………………………….. ... 81 What are the Characteristics of Climate Change at the Terminal Pleistocene in the Pacific Northwest?................................................................. .82 Climatic and Environmental Conditions at the Younger Dryas Chronozone……………………………………………………………..82 Human Record at the Terminal Pleistocene…………………………….. 88 What is the Nature of Paleoenvironmental Change at the Pleistocene- Holocene Boundary?........................................................................................... .92 Climatic and Environmental Conditions at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary………………………………………………………………. .92 Changes in Human Adaptation at the Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary……………………………………………………….……….96 What is the Relationship Between Regionalization of Late Paleoindian-Early Archaic Populations and Climate Change?........................................................101 Regionalization at the Terminal Pleistocene…………………………..101 Pleistocene-Holocene Boundary and Early Holocene Regionalization.....................................................................................