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Reconsidering Paleoarchaic Mobility in the Central Great Basin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

George T. Jones ,
Lisa M. Fontes ,
Rachel A. Horowitz ,
Charlotte Beck  and
David G. Bailey
George T. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323
Lisa M. Fontes
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rachel A. Horowitz
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Charlotte Beck
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323
David G. Bailey
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York
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Abstract

Analyzing technological patterns and source provenance of stone tools, Jones, Beck, Jones, and Hughes (2003) argue that Paleoarchuic groups of the central Great Basin moved within an extensive home range, perhaps reaching 400 km in its longest dimension. The Eastern Conveyance Zone, as they refer to this territory, was aligned with the predominantly north-south trending mountains and valleys of the province. To evaluate this model of mobility, artifacts were collected from the southern part of the Eastern Conveyance Zone for geochemical characterizations. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of 183 obsidian and fine-grained volcanic artifacts identified 12 known rock sources, all from the southern and central sections of the zone. No northern sources are represented among artifacts studied. Revisions of the Eastern Conveyance Zone model are considered in light of these results.

Resumen

Resumen

Mediante el análisis de los patrones tecnológicos y de la procedencia de las herramientas de piedra, Jones y otros (2003) sostienen que los grupos Paleoarcaicos de la Gran Cuenca Central se movieron en un amplio radio que podría haber llegado a alcanzar un máximo de 400 Kms. La Zona Este de Transmisión, como se refieren a este territorio, estaba alineada con las montañas y valles de la provincia orientada predominantemente en dirección nortesur. Para evaluar este modelo de movilidad, se recogieron artefactos de la parte sur de la Zona Este de Transmisión para proceder a su caracterización geo-química. hafluo-rescencia espectométrica de los rayos X de 183 obsidianas y artefactos volcánicos de grano fino, identificó 12 fuentes de rocas conocidas, todas de las secciones centro y sur de la zona. Entre los artefactos estudiados, no hay representada ninguna fuente del norte. A la luz de estos resultados, parece oportuno considerar hacer observaciones de la Zona de Trabajo Este.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 77 , Issue 2 , April 2012 , pp. 351 - 367
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2012

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