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Clovis and Western Stemmed again: Reply to Fiedel and Morrow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Charlotte Beck
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323. (tjones@hamilton.edu)
George T. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323. (cbeck@hamilton.edu)

Abstract

Fiedel and Morrow challenge our argument that Clovis technology originated in the southern Plains or Southeast and from there was carried by populations migrating north. Upon entering the Intermountain West relatively late, they encountered a population utilizing a different technology (Western Stemmed), the latter having arrived independently from the Pacific coast. Fiedel and Morrow offer arguments in favor of Clovis-first in the Intermountain West and coastal California and against the coastal route, Clovis origins in the south, and technological differences between Clovis and Western Stemmed. We evaluate these arguments and find their supporting evidence, when provided, meager and unconvincing.

Resumen

Resumen

Fiedel y Morrow cuestionan nuestro argumento de que la tecnología Clovis se originó en las Planicies del sur o el Sureste, y desde allí fue llevada por las poblaciones que migraron hacia el norte. Al entrar al Oeste Intermontano relativamente tarde, se encontraron con una población que utilizaba una tecnología diferente (Western Stemmed), llegada de manera independiente desde la costa del Pacífico. Fiedel y Morrow ofrecen argumentos a favor de que la Clovis fue la primera tecnología en el Oeste Intermontano y la costa de California, y en contra de la ruta costera, los orígenes de la Clovis en el sur, y las diferencias tecnológicas entre Clovis y Western Stemmed. Evaluamos estos argumentos y encontramos que su evidencia de apoyo, cuando existe, resulta escasa y poco convincente.

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Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2012

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