essay

Early Archaic settlement in the South Carolina coastal plain

paleoindian and early archaic southeast • Tuscaloosa • Published In 1996 • Pages: 58-83

By: Sassaman, Kenneth E..

Abstract

Sassaman reviews and synthesizes the evidence for a model of early Archaic settlements in the South Carolina coastal plain. This area forms a distinct province between the Carolina Piedmont tradition to the north and the side-notched point traditions to the south and west. This area is also distinct for its lack of tool stone. Sassaman describes two sites and the settlement system in the Savannah river basin. He sees group aggregation as important only until 9500 BP. After that time populations were large enough for more flexibility in their interactions. Instead, the availability of raw material for stone tools did affect their tool kits and fewer formal tools does not necessarily mean the settlement system was a forager system as described by Binford. The variation seen in raw material use at different sites may not be from differences in settlement organization but from the availability of lithic raw material.

HRAF PubDate

2010

Region

North America

Sub Region

General North America

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2009

Field Date

1981, 1982, 1984

Coverage Date

10,000-8000 BP (8000-6000 BC)

Coverage Place

Georgia and South Carolina, United States

Notes

Kenneth E. Sassaman

For bibliographical references see document 1: Anderson and Sassaman

LCCN

96019012

LCSH

Paleo-Indians--Southern States

Indians of North America--Southern States--Antiquities

Southern States--Antiquities