essay

Points, people and prehistory: a preliminary synthesis of culture history in north central British Columbia

problems in the prehistory of the north american subarctic : the athapaskan questionCalgary • Published In 1977 • Pages: 90-96

By: Helmer, J. W..

Abstract
Helmer criticizes other archaeological work in the north-central interior of British Columbia. He points out that archaeologists have ignored data that would indicate microblade technology continues until relatively recently. Instead, archaeologists have cross-dated sites within different environmental zones and across large distances using artifact types with unspecified similarities as evidence to support the antiquity of cultural development at their respective sites. Helmer looks at point syles and finds the spread of the Athapaskan-speaking Carrier and Chilcotin into the Interior Plateau is probably a relatively recent phenomenon. He believes their cultural affinities are to the north, not the south. He finds the origins of the southern microblade complex to be presently unexplainable.
Subjects
Identification
Reviews and critiques
Location
Prehistory
Cultural participation
Lithic industries
Weapons
Chronologies and culture sequences
Typologies and classifications
tradition
Proto-Athapaskans
Region
North America
Sub Region
Arctic and Subarctic
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Notes
James W. Helmer
For bibliographical references see 39: References cited
LCCN
80494866
LCSH
Athapaskan Indians--Antiquities