. Contents
Introduction   Geography and  Environmental Conditions    Chronological  Considerations   Initial Human Occupation   Widespread Settlement   Terminal Paleoindian  Occupations   Initial Holocene Early  Archaic Assemblages   Property Types   Resource Distribution   Research Needs and  Questions   Evaluation Criteria   Possible NHLs in the  Southeast   Conclusions   Annotated References   References Cited

Dense populations were present across much of the Southeast during the Early Archaic period, as evidenced by large numbers of sites and artifacts, which occur widely over the landscape. Band level groups exploiting modern biota are assumed to have been present, making use of most if not all parts of the landscape, continuing the pattern of land use that began with Dalton (Gillam 1996, 1999; Morse 1973, 1977, 1997; O'Steen 1983, 1996; O'Steen et al. 1986; Walthall 1998). The highly curated Paleoindian toolkit continued in use, although it was gradually replaced by more expedient tool forms in many areas by the end of the period. Group ranges were much diminished, to within single drainages if not portions of drainages. Lower quality raw materials were increasingly utilized in stone tool manufacture. A number of distinct subregional cultural traditions are present characterized by localized point forms, again like the pattern seen earlier, Dalton and related assemblages.

Early Archaic components in the Southeast are recognized by the occurrence of successive side- and corner-notched and bifurcate-based points (e.g., Bense 1994; Chapman 1985; Coe 1964). Some point forms that begin in the Paleoindian period, such as Dalton and side-notched types, and some western Plano forms, appear to extend into the Early Archaic period. Dalton points are thought to extend no later than about 9900 rcbp/11,250 B.P., although several later dates have been reported running as late as ca. 9000 rcbp/10,200 B.P. (c.f., Goodyear 1982; Walthall 1998). It is unlikely that Dalton continued much later than 10,000 rcbp, however, given the fairly appreciable numbers of radiocarbon dates that have accumulated for side and corner notched points beginning at ca. 10,200 rcbp/11,850 B.P. and particularly after 10,000 rcbp/11,450 B.P. (e.g., Chapman 1985; Driskell 1994, 1996; Dunbar et al. 1988), and the absence of evidence for a cooccurrence of Dalton with these notched forms. Side-notched points themselves appear to continue no later in time than ca. 9500 to 9000 rcbp/10,700 to 10,200 B.P., after which corner notched types such as the Palmer and Kirk types, and Hardin Stemmed points occur. These are in turn followed by a series of bifurcate forms, including the MacCorkle, St. Albans, LeCroy, and Kanawha types, dating from ca. 8900 to 7800 rcbp/10,025 to 8600 B.P. (Chapman 1985).

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