American Paleo-Arctic Tradition
The American Paleo-Arctic tradition refers to a significant prehistoric cultural phase that primarily existed in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, as well as along the coastal areas of the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea. This tradition likely began around 10,000 BCE, with substantial occupation marked around 9000 BCE. Characterized by highly mobile hunting groups, these early inhabitants primarily relied on caribou and Bison antiquus for sustenance, often moving in groups of 25 to 50 in accordance with animal migrations. Evidence indicates that coastal communities may have engaged in seasonal occupations focused on marine resources, including fishing and marine mammal hunting.
The tool technology of this tradition is notable for its use of wedge-shaped microblade cores, which were crafted into complex projectile points alongside other tools like burins and gravers. The American Paleo-Arctic tradition shows connections to other ancient cultures, including the Diuktai culture of Siberia and the Denali complex in Alaska. These links highlight a broader cultural continuity across regions, contributing to a deeper understanding of early North American societies. Overall, the American Paleo-Arctic tradition is recognized as one of the earliest cultural expressions in North America, laying the groundwork for many subsequent cultures.
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American Paleo-Arctic Tradition
Related civilizations: Denali complex, Northern Paleo-Indian tradition, Diuktai culture.
Date: c. 9000-5000 b.c.e.
Locale: Northern North America
American Paleo-Arctic Tradition
The American Paleo-Arctic tradition is restricted mainly to Alaska and the Yukon Territory, and coastal areas of the Arctic Ocean, the Bering Sea and the Chukchi Sea. The earliest occupation of this area may have occurred around 10,000 b.c.e., but the first substantial occupation dates to 9000 b.c.e. The first definition of this tradition was made by Douglas Anderson, based on an archaeological assemblage from the Onion Portage site in Alaska. Other Alaskan sites, such as Trail Creek caves, the Lower Bench site, Gallagher Flint Station, Anangula Island, and the Ugashik Narrows site, represent the American Paleo-Arctic tradition.
Highly mobile hunters who subsisted primarily on caribou and Bison antiquus typify the Paleo-Arctic tradition. These hunters probably lived in groups of twenty-five to fifty people and moved in tandem with the caribou migrations across Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Evidence also suggests that coastal occupations may have occurred seasonally, with an economy focused on marine mammal hunting and fishing, including salmon harvesting, saltwater fishing, and shellfish collecting. This marine resource-focused economy has also been called the Maritime Paleo-Arctic tradition.
Stone tool technology of the Paleo-Arctic tradition is primarily composed of wedge-shaped microblade cores, microblades, blades and blade cores, burins, and gravers. The microblades of the Paleo-Arctic tradition were manufactured by using a core reduction technique very similar to Upper Paleolithic tool traditions. These microblades were then slotted into grooved antler and bone points to form a sophisticated composite projectile point. Blades were probably used for butchering, and the burins and gravers were used to carve bone and wood.
The American Paleo-Arctic tradition has been linked to the Diuktai culture of the Aldun River Valley, Siberia; the Denali complex of interior Alaska; and the Northern Paleo-Indian tradition of the continental United States. The Diuktai culture dates between 33,000 b.c.e. and 9400 b.c.e., and its hallmark is the wedge-shaped core used to manufacture microbades. As for the Denali complex, dating between 8500 b.c.e. and 6000 b.c.e., the stone tool assemblages include bifacial knives and projectile points in addition to the characteristic microblades. The link between the Northern Paleo-Indian and the Paleo-Arctic tradition is that the Northern Paleo-Indian tradition includes fluted projectile points that are associated with sites dating between 10,500 and 7500 b.c.e. In sum, the American Paleo-Arctic tradition is one of the earliest traditions in North America and probably the basis for many later cultures in the New World.
Bibliography
Dixon, E. James. Bones, Boats, and Bison. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1999.
Fagan, Brian M. Oxford Companion to Archaeology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Jennings, Jesse D. Prehistoric North America. Mountain View, Calif.: Mayfield, 1989.
Meltzer, David J. Search for the First Americans. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books, 1993.