Testing the Paleo-Maritime Hypothesis for Glacial Lake Iroquois: Implications for Changing Views of Past Culture and Technology

Abstract

Comparison of stone tool assemblages and their associations with paleo-shorelines across North America encourages us to begin thinking in terms of maritime culture dating back as far as 8,000–10,000 years. Locations as diverse as Fort Drum, New York, San Clemente Island, California, and Hill AFB Bombing Range, Utah, all offer sites, collections, and information that can illuminate a possible early type of maritime cultural landscape. Evidence for human adaptation to Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene shoreline environments will emphasize the potential for use and construction of boats with a discussion of the implications for changing archaeological characterization of Paleoindian people.