A re-evaluation of the McKean series on the northern plains
Date
2004-03-01
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ORCID
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Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
Interpretations of McKean are generally based on the large amount of data recovered from sites in the northern United States. McKean sites have also been identified throughout the Canadian Plains, but at present many of the studies associated with these sites have yet to be published. Of particular importance are detailed analyses of assemblages from a number of multi component sites such as Redtail, Thundercloud, and EgNo-23 in Saskatchewan. Data from these and a number of similar sites are summarized to update the McKean record on the Canadian Plains. These studies offer new information with regard to McKean cultural adaptations, providing new insight into interpretations of McKean subsistence, settlement patterns, origins, and expansion. Furthermore, strong evidence exists for the stratigraphic and temporal separation of the lanceolate and stemmed projectile point varieties commonly associated with McKean. In light of such evidence, McKean is no longer representative of an archaeological complex and a taxonomic designation of archaeological series is preferred. This research provides an important first-step towards the re-examination of McKean and will have an impact on future interpretations of the McKean series throughout the Northern Plains.
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Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Archaeology
Program
Archaeology