Detailed behavioral observations permitted the dimensional analysis of formation processes operative on the Mask site, a Nunamiut Eskimo hunting stand. Activity structure, technological organization, disposal mode, and spatial organization were all seen as behavioral dimensions that could each vary, altering the patterns of assemblage content and spatial disposition at an archaeological site. These ethnoarchaeological experiences were then contrasted with those recently reported by John Yellen (1977), and a critical evaluation of his “conclusions” was conducted from the perspective of the Eskimo experience. It was pointed out that basic differences in philosophy and approach to research largely conditioned the contrasting character of the conclusions drawn from the different experiences.

Meggers, Evans, and Estrada's (1965) thesis, that storm-tossed Jomon fishermen drifted across the North Pacific to the coast of Ecuador and introduced pottery-making at the Valdivia site, is presented. The thesis is examined from the standpoint of the mechanics of such a voyage. The nature of the surface current patterns in the North Pacific are discussed, together with the weather conditions found along the presumed route, the types of vessels known archaeologically for the early Jomon, and the suitability of such vessels for a trans-Pacific crossing. Finally, the survival problems faced by a crew adrift in an open boat on the North Pacific are presented. It is concluded that contact between Jomon and Valdivian peoples was unlikely to have occurred in the manner suggested by Meggers, Evans, and Estrada. Several possible alternative routes and explanations are advanced.

Pristine state government evolved among the indigenous cultures of the central Andes, but archaeologists have not demonstrated when and where. Conceptualization of the state as an integrative mechanism for gathering and processing information and for deliberating decisions provides explicit archaeological criteria for statehood. Examination of the archaeological record reveals that Middle Horizon Huari fulfills almost all of these criteria for statehood, although many data remain to be collected before the processes of prehistoric Andean state formation will be fully understood.

This study examines the variability in Ocmulgee Fields ceramics from 2 nearly contemporaneous Upper Creek Indian sites at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park in central Alabama. The intent is to demonstrate that differences between the 2 pottery assemblages reflect differences in the social settings at the 2 sites. Frequencies of ceramic types and of selected attributes are tested for statistical significance using chi-square, and the strength of the assumed relationships are evaluated using 1 or more measures of association. The tests support a contention that ceramic vessels in use at the temporary, warrier-refugee settlement of Tohopeka were more frequently of utility forms and were generally larger and less decorated than vessels in use at the permanent, family-structured settlement of Nuyaka. It is suggested that similar studies of ceramics from sites for which the historical record is not as complete as it is for the Horseshoe Bend sites might reveal potential distinctions in social structure and behavioral patterning that would be developed primarily from the archaeological record.

Squash remains from three Late Archaic archaeological sites constitute the earliest evidence for cultigens in eastern North America. The new data indicate the tropical cultigen, squash, was introduced into the area prior to the domestication of native plant resources.

Geomorphologic and sediment-stratigraphic study of the Koster site has been carried out in the broader context of the lower Illinois Valley. Accumulation of reworked loess in an overdeepened tributary valley began at Koster shortly after 10,000 B.P., and continued through Holocene times with major sedimentary breaks. The Illinois floodplain began to stabilize ca. 5000 B.P. after rapid aggradation, but remained a dynamic environment that developed its present patterns after 2500 B.P. Valley-margin hillside vegetation was considerably more xeric during the periods 1200-950 B.P., 2100–1900 B.P., and ca. 9700–5000 B.P., with hillside woodland reduced to hill prairie or parkland ca. 8500–7700 B.P. These dramatic Holocene environmental changes suggest that interpretative archaeological models for cultural adaptations through time must consider the environment as a critical variable, rather than as a constant.

Neutron activation analysis of a large number of samples of midwestern cherts shows systematic variation of trace-element proportions within several chert formations. This chemical variation parallels variation in physical properties of the cherts and can also be found between different outcrops of the same chert. Surface alterations of artifacts after they have been deposited in soils also appear to change the chemical properties of the materials to some degree. All of these factors will complicate attempts to characterize chert sources and assign artifacts to them on the basis of their trace-element compositions. Nevertheless, adequate sampling and analysis of cherts should allow discrimination of sources in most areas, since the patterning of variation between cherts appears to be meaningful.

Geologic sources of obsidian are frequently treated in the archaeological literature as single, discrete flows, each being recognized as a different source as long as it can be geographically isolated. However, some recent studies show a tendency toward the correction of this misconception, and toward defining operationally the obsidian source concept on a regional basis. This work is intended to help achieve such definition for a number of obsidian sources in the central highlands of Guatemala. Geochemical characterization of samples from diverse source localities, attained by means of neutron activation analysis, is utilized for this purpose. The information thus obtained has importance to a number of fields of research in archaeology. To the now-routine studies on prehistoric trade routes, other lines of investigation can be added, namely the determination of source-specific obsidian hydration rates for dating purposes, and the reconstruction of structural features in sociocultural systems.

The important Mesoamerican obsidian source El Chayal has been carefully explored and sampled. Forty new source specimens have been subjected to neutron activation analysis, and the composition patterns are recorded and compared. The westernmost of the known Guatemalan obsidian sources, Tajamulco, has also been studied. Precise analytical data are also reported for the important Ixtepeque and Rio Pixcaya sources. In addition, the complete analytical data for a group of artifacts in Belize excavated by Norman Hammond are reported and compared with the source compositions. The establishment in the literature of a library or collection of precise and intercomparable composition data for the sources of this general region is suggested, and the present paper is offered as a first contribution toward this objective.

The Yuha cairn burial from southeastern California is said to be more than 21,000 years old, based on radiocarbon dates and a Th-230 date obtained on soil carbonate. The burial itself is undated. Several other cairn burials are known from the California deserts, and these are dated from 5000 B.P. to historic times. Until the Yuha burial itself is dated, one must consider that it may belong to this more recent pattern of disposal of the dead.

Questions are raised concerning the Pleistocene age assignment of a human burial from the Yuha Desert, California. Evidence is presented demonstrating that the C-14 dates of around 22,000 years B.P. should be viewed with extreme caution, especially because of the inherent problem in soil carbonate dating. Both the degree of soil development and the landform associated with the burial appear inconsistent with the reported age. In addition the presence of late-appearing cultural material at the locality conflicts with the purported antiquity of the site.

Three Olmec sculptures are frequently thought to represent copulation between human beings and jaguars, an important element in what we are able to reconstruct of Olmec belief, but evidence and parallels discussed here suggest that this interpretation of the sculptures is incorrect. Alternate explanations which are consistent with a new view would assign an aggressive, ritual, or allegorical meaning to these sculptures and to certain other related Olmec representations.

The earliest literary reference to a fluted point occurs in a work written in 1722 by Francisco Ximenez. This specimen and others from Guatemala are discussed in the light of recent discoveries from neighboring areas.

An ethnographic and archaeological sample of 142 stone-tipped arrows and atlatl darts has been analyzed from several points of view. The raw data provide some quantitative measures against which unknown archaeological specimens can be compared. Several assumptions regarding projectile points are examined, and statistical analysis determines how much can be reasonably inferred about the entire artifact, given only the stone tip. Discriminant analysis further indicates how these 2 groups differ, and classification equations have been derived to classify unknown points as arrowheads or dart points. While separation is not perfect, the results indicate that arrowheads can be quantitatively distinguished from dart points with some degree of accuracy.

This article reports on a continuing study of the stoneworking technology of the Lindenmeier Folsom. Production time, sequential stages of manufacture, and fluting technique are examined and discussed on the basis of extensive replication and experimentation, as well as of macroscopic and microscopic analysis of one of the original Lindenmeier Folsom assemblages. Results of this study indicate that simplicity of technique, along with desired form, were crucial factors in the decision making associated with the production of the Lindenmeier Folsom.

The amount of pressure exerted per unit area is critical in microwear formation. Previous researchers have incorrectly assumed that amount of pressure per unit area can be controlled by controlling the amount of external pressure [i.e., load] applied during implement usage. Research has shown that even when the external force is constant, the fracture threshold varies depending on the amount of implement edge is contact with a worked item. Since edge contact varies considerably between functionally distinct classes of artifacts, a large amount of “noise” may have been inadvertently introduced into previous experimental results. This poses a significant problem, which must be addressed by future researchers.

A new technique for the measurement of artifact angles is presented. A clay impression of an edge is made, the angle of the edge is then measured with a 6X comparator equipped with an angle measuring reticle. The technique is compared with other angle measuring techniques currently in use. Additional measurement capabilities of the comparator are also presented.