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