NPS Archeology Program: the Earliest Americans Theme Study
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NPS Archeology Program: The Earliest Americans Theme Study A, B, C, D sections F. associated property G. geographical data types E. statement of historic H. summary of contexts introduction identification and Anderson, Brose, evaluation methods introduction Dincauze, Shott, Grumet, Anderson, Brose, Waldbauer project history Dincauze, Shott, Grumet, Robert S. Grumet Waldbauer southeast property types David G. Anderson acknowledgments southeast context David G. Anderson northeast property types I. major bibliographical Dena F. Dincauze references northeast context Dena F. Dincauze midwest property types references cited Michael J. Shott midwest context Figures and Tables Michael J. Shott Credits DOI | History & Culture | Search | Contact | FOIA | Privacy | Disclaimer | USA.gov Last updated: EJL/MDC http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/PUBS/NHLEAM/index.htm[2/26/2013 2:15:10 PM] NPS Archeology Program: The Earliest Americans Theme Study A, B, C, D sections NPS Form 10-900-b OMB No. 1024-0018 E. statement of historic (March 1992) contexts F. associated property United States Department of the Interior types National Park Service G. geographical data National Register of Historic Places H. summary of Multiple Property Documentation Form identification and evaluation methods This form is used for documenting multiple property groups relating to one or several historic contexts. See instructions in How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (National I. major bibliographical references Register Bulletin 16B). Complete each item by entering the requested information. For additional space, use continuation sheets (Form 10-900-a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer to Figures and Tables complete all items. Credits X New Submission Amended Submission NAME OF MULTIPLE PROPERTY LISTING THE EARLIEST AMERICANS THEME STUDY FOR THE EASTERN UNITED STATES ASSOCIATED HISTORIC CONTEXTS (Name each associated historic context, identifying theme, geographical area, and chronological period for each.) PALEOAMERICAN SITES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES (13,450-11,200B.P.) FORM PREPARED BY name/title: David G. Anderson/Archeologist, Southeast Regional Archeology Center, National Park Service David S. Brose/Director, Schiele Museum of Natural History Dena F. Dincause/Archeologist, University of Massachusetts Robert S. Grumet/Archeologist, Philadelphia Support Office, National Park Service Michael J. Shott/Archeologst, University of Northern Iowa Richard C. Waldbauer/Archeologist, Office of Archeology and Ethnography, National Park Service Compiled and Edited by: Erika K. Martin Seibert/Archeologist, National Historic Landmarks Survey, National Park Service street & number: National Historic Landmarks Survey, NRHE, National Park Service telephone: 202/343-9513 city or town: Washington state: District of Columbia zip code: 20240 http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/PUBS/NHLEAM/ABCD.htm[2/26/2013 2:15:15 PM] NPS Archeology Program: The Earliest Americans Theme Study CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this documentation form meets the National Register documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the listing of related properties consistent with the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60 and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. (___ See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature and title of certifying official Date State or Federal agency and bureau I hereby certify that this multiple property documentation form has been approved by the National Register as a basis for evaluating related properties for listing in the National Register. Signature of the Keeper Date section F DOI | History & Culture | Search | Contact | FOIA | Privacy | Disclaimer | USA.gov Last updated: EJL/MDC http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/PUBS/NHLEAM/ABCD.htm[2/26/2013 2:15:15 PM] NPS Archeology Program: The Earliest Americans Theme Study E. statement of historic INTRODUCTION contexts There is not anywhere upon the globe a large tract of country which we have introduction discovered destitute of inhabitants, or whose first population can be fixed with any organization degree of historical certainty. And yet, as the most philosophical minds can seldom refrain from investigating the infancy of great nations, our curiosity consumes itself chronological in toilsome and disappointed efforts. considerations table 1 (Edward Gibbon 1778:(I):188-189) temporal and cultural Organization subdivisions geography and Since 1993 the Society for American Archaeology's National Historic Landmarks Archeology environmental Committee, and the National Park Service (NPS) have worked together to develop a National conditions Historic Landmark theme study on Paleoindian, or as it's also known here, Earliest American life in interregional the eastern United States. The purpose of this theme study is to identify Paleoindian sites that best comparisons exemplify and illustrate nationally significant information about human occupation over vast regions table 2 of the eastern United States during the earliest periods of settlement, and where appropriate, develop National Historic Landmark (NHL) nominations for selected sites. In this theme study, the eastern conclusions United States has been divided into three regions: the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Midwest. southeast context This study is based on the evidence provided by archeological investigations and it therefore northeast context concentrates on the recoverable, physical remains of human, geological, technological, and midwest context environmental processes. When human beings reached the Americas is currently unknown, but F. associated property permanent settlement, by populations that survived, and spread over the landscape, is currently types believed to be prior to 13,500 years ago. Archeologists use three broad temporal and cultural periods to describe the Earliest American sites and assemblages: Initial Human Occupation (> ca. G. geographical data 13,450 B.P.), Widespread Settlement: Clovis and Related Assemblages (ca. 13,450–12,900 B.P.), H. summary of and Terminal Paleoindian Occupations (ca. 12,900–11,200 B.P.). These are the time periods used in identification and this document (see below under Chronological Considerations). evaluation methods I. major bibliographical Section E, Statement of Historic Contexts contains an introduction as well as detailed contexts references including chronological, geographic, and environmental information for the three Paleoindian periods described above for each region, the Northeast, the Southeast and the Midwest. Figures and Tables Section F., Associated Property Types, provides information about using the NHL and National Register Criteria. Though this is a theme study intended to identify properties as National Historic Landmarks, the National Register Criteria as well as the NHL Criteria are discussed because both sets of Criteria mutually support the different listings. National Register Criteria are also included so this study can be used for identifying those sites that are eligible to the National Register only. Because NHL Criterion 6 and National Register Criterion D will be used most often when evaluating sites, research needs and questions are examined in the introduction of Section F, and specifically for each region. Registration requirements are also detailed in this section. The introduction for Section F also offers an evaluation matrix that combines the NHL Criteria (research questions), registration requirements (including integrity), and the NHL thematic framework for ease in examining and evaluating these sites. An example of using the matrix is presented. A list of proposed Paleoindian sites is provided under each region in this section. Section G, Geographical Data provides the list of states that are covered in each region. Specific details about the history of this project are covered in Section H. Summary of Identification and Evaluations Methods. The table of contents lists major sections, subsections, and tables and figures for ease in the use of http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/PUBS/NHLEAM/E-Introduction.htm[2/26/2013 2:15:19 PM] NPS Archeology Program: The Earliest Americans Theme Study this document. Also noted at the end of the table of contents, but worth repeating here, in this document, sites in Bold are listed in the National Register. Sites in Bold and Italics are listed in the National Register and designated NHLs. Chronological Considerations When human beings reached the Americas is currently unknown but permanent settlement is currently believed to be prior to 13,500 years ago. Whether one migration or several occurred, and whether all were even successful is currently unknown. In this study, these first peoples are variously described as "Paleoindians," "Paleoamericans" or the "Earliest Americans." How far back in time initial colonization occurred, how many separate migrations took place, whether all these migrations were successful, and the geographical and biological affinities of these founding populations remains ambiguous, and are subjects currently under intensive investigation by archeologists. As in the past, the fragmentary evidence used to reconstruct long-vanished landscapes and the identity, culture, and history of America's earliest occupants still spark interest and debate.