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Appendix H - Historical Archaeological and ... - CBP.gov

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period, possibly related to a corresponding increase in the procurement <strong>and</strong> processing of plant food<br />

products.<br />

The major change observed in the material culture of the Middle Precontact Period is evidenced by<br />

the disappearance of lanceolate <strong>and</strong> large stemmed projectile points, typical of the Early<br />

Precontact/Paleo-Indian Period. The tool collection is exemplified by side-notched <strong>and</strong> cornernotched<br />

point types. Throughout the area, the characteristic site types include lithic scatters <strong>and</strong> tool<br />

production sites, camp sites, game drives <strong>and</strong> processing sites, <strong>and</strong> related occupation <strong>and</strong> use areas.<br />

Middle Precontact (middle portion)/Middle Plains Archaic Period<br />

The middle portion of the Middle Precontact Period (ca. 5,000 B.P.–3,000 B.P.), discussed<br />

by Reeves (1970, 1983), corresponds to Frison’s (1991) definition of the Middle Plains Archaic<br />

Period. This differentiated period appears to be one of transition in climatic conditions,<br />

availability of natural resources, <strong>and</strong> corresponding changes in human cultural attributes <strong>and</strong><br />

artifact assemblages.<br />

Although there are possibly older examples within the area of Montana, stone tipi rings are<br />

represented in the archaeological record by 4,000 years B.P. (Brumley <strong>and</strong> Dickerson, 2000).<br />

Diagnostic stone tools, in the form of projectile points <strong>and</strong> other biface tools, identified in the<br />

archaeological record during this time interval, show a continuation of the side-notched <strong>and</strong><br />

corner-notched forms of the previous sub-period.<br />

Other stone tools include oval bifaces, lanceolate-shaped bifaces, knives, small end scrapers,<br />

unifacial knives <strong>and</strong> side-scrapers, small pebble hammerstones, chopping tools, irregular polyhedral<br />

cores, perforators, <strong>and</strong> flake tools (Melton, 1988; Aaberg et al, 2003). Site types range the full<br />

spectrum, from lithic scatters <strong>and</strong> tool production sites, quarry sites, <strong>and</strong> habitation sites with tipi<br />

rings, to camp sites, game drives <strong>and</strong> processing sites, <strong>and</strong> related occupation <strong>and</strong> use areas.<br />

Middle Precontact (late portion)/Late Plains Archaic Period<br />

This sub-period (ca. 3,000 B.P.–1,500 B.P.) is characterized by a continuation of big game<br />

hunting, with emphasis on bison in the plains <strong>and</strong> lower mountain valley regions of Montana.<br />

Strong evidence for large-scale, communal bison kills date to this time (Aaberg et al, 2006:177).<br />

Acquisition of bison during this period is documented from drives, cliff jumps, traps, <strong>and</strong><br />

impoundments.<br />

Increased use of the tipi as a habitation structure is noted during this period. Ceramics first<br />

appear at cultural sites on the plains of eastern Montana at the end of this time period (Kornfeld<br />

et al, 2010:432-440). Continued use of ground stone implements is also seen in the<br />

archaeological record, along with use of the atlatl for throwing hafted projectile points.<br />

The dominant tool kit of the late portion of the Middle Precontact/Late Plains Archaic Period<br />

includes predominantly corner-notch projectile points <strong>and</strong> lithic tools, flake tools, drills, scrapers,<br />

bifacial cores, beveled edge bifacial knives, <strong>and</strong> ground stone tools (Ferguson, 2003; Frison,<br />

1991; Kornfeld et al, 2010).<br />

Northern Border Activities H-54 July 2012

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