article

The Norton interaction sphere: an orientation

Arctic anthropology • 19 (2) • Published In 1982 • Pages: 3-10

By: Shaw, Robert Dane, Holmes, Charles E..

Abstract

Shaw and Holmes discuss the confusion and ambiguity surrounding the definition Norton. Part of this confusion is due to the history of the term which evolved over several years. The authors point out that the researchers use the same term to mean a component, phase, tradition, culture, stage, complex, period, or variant without defining it as such. They introduce the term 'Norton Interaction Sphere' to cover all of the above and urge researchers to be specific about whether they mean a component, phase, etc. when discussing Norton. The confusion is also due to the fact that similar archaeological assemblages can be found over a vast portion of Alaska, both geographically and chronologically. Despite this large area relatively few archaeologicql sites have been excavated and written up. As more sites are explored which have their collections adquately described and which have good chronologies, regional variations will become apparent. Only then will a real definition of the term Norton be possible.

Region

North America

Sub Region

Arctic and Subarctic

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Notes

Robert D. Shaw and Charles E. Holmes

Includes bibliographical references (p. 8-10)

LCCN

sf78000711

LCSH

Eskimos--Antiquities