Some unwarranted conclusions drawn by Speth in a recent article in American Antiquity are pointed out, and clarification of some other concepts referred to in that paper is suggested. The validity of an equation used by Speth is questioned and cautious application of some other equations is suggested.

This paper presents an alternative to Naroll's formula for estimating population size from settlement area. It uses an allometric model modified for hunter-gatherer camps. In this model, the parameters are derived theoretically to describe mean area per person and the geometric properties of population distribution. The proposed model is then tested on 16 !Kung Bushmen settlements.

Whallon claims to have made a rigorous application of dimensional analysis of variance to the delineation of spatial artifact patterning at the site of Guila Naquitz. Questions are raised here pertaining to replicability and to the cultural formation processes of the archaeological record. These unresolved questions suggest that Whallon's optimistic claims for the utility of dimensional analysis of variance cannot be adequately evaluated at present.

Extensive radiocarbon analyses have been made of dendrochronologically dated wood. The resultant radiocarbon data are not in total agreement with the conventional solar calendar as exemplified by the tree-ring chronology. The discrepancy reaches a maximum between 4060 B.C. to 7350 B.C. when radiocarbon dates are too young by 800 to 870 yr. Using a compatible set of 549 dated samples as a working base, a calibration table has been derived for conversion of conventional radiocarbon dates to calendar dates. This conversion table covers the period of time from A.D. 1600 to 5400 B.C. Data are also given to facilitate the calculation of the accuracy of the corrected date by a simple, illustrated method.

Larson's hypothesis that southeastern warfare was instituted to increase the agricultural territories of demographically expanding Mississippian groups is not demonstrable for similar protohistoric chiefdoms in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Ethnohistorical data support an alternative perspective of warfare as a principal equilibrium-regulating institution through which cancellation of status deterioration, common in the peculiar ranked social structures of lower valley groups, might have been achieved.

The increasing popularity of archaeology courses has brought many persons susceptible to coccidioidomycosis into areas endemic for the fungus which causes this disease. The high incidence of infection in susceptibles can be averted by adherence to recommendations developed by the California State Department of Health. A concurrent beneift will be the reduction of potential legal action against universities.

A recent article in American Antiquity discusses evidence for occupational specialization among the Classic Maya at Tikal, Guatemala. The purpose of this paper is to amplify that discussion through review of the artifactual evidence for stoneworking and monument carving as a specialized occupation at Tikal. It is suggested that this occupation was confined to a specific family line within a lineage, the members of which were artisans engaged in a variety of occupational specialties.

Casteel's contention that fish remains can yield information on territorial exploitation can be expanded to include inferences about the necessary technology.

Some implicit assumptions in Whallon's mathematically rigorous method for reproducing Ritchie's traditional Owasco pottery typology are pointed out, and some of the “validity limits” of his conclusions are discussed.

The beginning of the end of the dominance of stone tools, in Europe, began with the spread of the use of metallic axes. A suggestion is made that in Mesoamerica, as in Europe, the metallic axe was replacing those of stone, while other stone tools remained in common use.

Sabloff attributes agreement by Adams to his interpretation of evidence from the Pasion River. Adams still dissents on evidential grounds from Sabloff"s views, and offers an alternative.

A mechanical device for making scale drawings of excavation sections is described. In limited testing the machine has shown itself to be capable of substantially reducing the time required for this operation, while increasing the accuracy of the results.

Snow's thesis that shellfish were not eaten by archaic peoples of North America until A.D. 1 is questioned.

Dr. Eric O. Callen’s notes, records, and reference materials covering nearly 20 years of research in the area of human coprolite analysis have been given to the Laboratory of Anthropology at Texas A & M University. The collection has been cataloged and is now available for use by interested researchers.