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The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pliestocene Terrace at the Topper Site: an Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38AL23)

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The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pliestocene Terrace at the Topper Site: an Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38AL23) University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 5-2012 The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pliestocene Terrace at the Topper Site: An Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38AL23) Megan King [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation King, Megan, "The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pliestocene Terrace at the Topper Site: An Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38AL23). " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2012. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/1174 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Megan King entitled "The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pliestocene Terrace at the Topper Site: An Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38AL23)." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Dr. David G. Anderson, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Dr. Boyce N. Driskell, Dr. Kandace Hollenbach Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council, I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Megan M. King entitled “The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pleistocene Terrace at the Topper Site: An Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38Al23)” I have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. ____________________ Dr. David G. Anderson We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: ____________________ Dr. Boyce N. Driskell ____________________ Dr. Kandace Hollenbach Acceptance for the Council _______________________ Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with the official student records.) The Distribution of Paleoindian Debitage from the Pleistocene Terrace at the Topper Site: An Evaluation of a Possible Pre-Clovis Occupation (38AL23) A Thesis Presented for the Masters of Arts Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Megan M. King May 2012 Copyright © 2012 by Megan King All rights reserved. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I have to thank my husband, Brian, for his never ending patience and understanding, and for following me everywhere this journey has taken us. He encourages, pushes, and challenges me in the very best ways. I would not be where I am without him. I also have to thank my family for their continual support and encouragement, and for understanding that my absence from home and their lives is in the pursuit of a lifelong dream. And of course mom, the strongest and most courageous woman I know, for always letting me know that anything is possible. Dr. David Anderson was a continual source of encouragement and support during this process. He was always willing to listen to me and answer any questions I had. I appreciate the time and effort he put in to helping me complete this project, as well as the continual words of encouragement. He has helped me grow as a student and scholar,; I could not have asked for a better graduate advisor and mentor. Dr. Boyce Driskell and Dr. Kandace Hollenbach for providing me with the space and equipment to study the Topper lithics, and for taking time out of their schedules to discuss and edit my thesis. I also truly appreciated the opportunity to work at the Archaeological Research Laboratory. The staff at the ARL was not only incredibly welcoming, but they were continual sources of information and knowledge. Dr. Al Goodyear and Tom Pertierria introduced me to the study of lithic technology and helped to ignite a passion for studying stone tools. They provided me with the opportunity to research the pre-Clovis component at the Topper Site, an undertaking many believed to be too controversial. The volunteers at the Topper Site carefully excavated several of the test units used in this study, and took the time on rainy days to help sort archaeological material. I appreciate all of their help. Thad Bissett took time out his schedule on multiple occasions to help me make sense of my data and to run several statistical analyses. I truly appreciate the time and effort he put into helping me complete this project. Dr. Lisa Marie Anselmi guided and challenged me during my undergraduate career at Buffalo State College. She helped to spark my interest in First American Studies, and encouraged me to pursue a career in archaeology. She was an amazing advisor and became a true mentor when I needed one the most. iii ABSTRACT The lithic debitage excavated from units where pre-Clovis material was found were analyzed using mass analysis as well as individual flake analysis. Statistical analyses were performed to test whether or not the assemblages associated with known occupation were similar to those associated with pre-Clovis levels. No significant difference was observed between the physical attributes of the lithic debitage found within strata associated with known prehistoric populations and the lithics found within pre-Clovis aged deposits. Two alternate explanations for these patterns exist: one which argues for the presence of a legitimate pre-Clovis occupation at the Topper Site and the other citing downward movement and/or fluvial processes to account for the presence of debitage below Clovis strata. Future research will be needed to resolve which of these best explains the cultural materials found in pre-Clovis aged deposits at the site. iv Table of Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. x CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 The Antiquity of Humanity in the Americas ............................................................................... 2 The American Paleolithic: (Scientific Inquiry and Fiery Debates) ........................................ 3 Clovis-First Debate ................................................................................................................. 8 Pre-Clovis in the Americas ................................................................................................... 11 The Topper Site (38AL23) ........................................................................................................ 14 Site Setting and Stratigraphy ..................................................................................................... 17 Dating the Topper Site .............................................................................................................. 26 Excavation History and the Topper Assemblage ...................................................................... 30 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH DESIGN ........................................................................................... 41 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 41 Research Goals .......................................................................................................................... 42 Research Sample ................................................................................................................... 43 Literature Review ...................................................................................................................... 46 Assessing Stone Tool Properties ........................................................................................... 46 Mass Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 51 Attribute Analysis ................................................................................................................. 53 Post-Depositional Processes Considered for this Study ............................................................ 54 Erosion and Stream Deposition ............................................................................................ 56 Thermal Stress ...................................................................................................................... 58 Trampling .............................................................................................................................
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