Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Foliate or leaf-shaped bifacial tools are widely distributed through time and space in the Pacific Northwest region. Despite a number of previous studies, we still know little concerning the development and persistence of variation in these tools. This study applies phylogenetic analysis to collections of leaf-shaped bifacial tools from six archaeological sites from the Pacific Northwest. Phylogenetic analysis is a useful tool for studying cultural macroevolution, in this case, the pattern and process of descent with modification in tool manufacturing systems. The sites chosen for this study span the last ten thousand years and extend from southeast Alaska to northern Washington. Specific sites include On Your Knees Cave, Richardson Island, Cattle Point, Glenrose Cannery, Milliken, and Namu.
I analyze published images and descriptions of foliate bifaces from published reports. The traits that I examine include the length, width, base type, stem type, flake scar retouch, and flake scar orientation. I then input these data into PAST 2.17c to calculate the most parsimonious phylogeny and checked the retention and consistency indices for evidence of homoplasy. The strength of these branches is tested with 1000 bootstrap replicas.
There have not been any published works specifically examining the evolution of foliate bifaces from the Pacific Northwest. There have been studies that compare the different traits of various sites in the Pacific Northwest or that examine the other tool traditions of this area. In order to help learn more about the past spread of culture over time and space in the Pacific Northwest, more case studies examining various aspects or traits of a culture are important. By examining the distribution of different traits across various sites over time, it is possible to map out the spread of this technology, which can also help to define potential trade routes, migration patterns, or social traditions used by people of the past. This is important in order to answer larger questions about cultural evolution across the region.
Mentor Name
Anna Prentiss
The Evolution of Foliate Bifaces in Northwest North America
UC North Ballroom
Foliate or leaf-shaped bifacial tools are widely distributed through time and space in the Pacific Northwest region. Despite a number of previous studies, we still know little concerning the development and persistence of variation in these tools. This study applies phylogenetic analysis to collections of leaf-shaped bifacial tools from six archaeological sites from the Pacific Northwest. Phylogenetic analysis is a useful tool for studying cultural macroevolution, in this case, the pattern and process of descent with modification in tool manufacturing systems. The sites chosen for this study span the last ten thousand years and extend from southeast Alaska to northern Washington. Specific sites include On Your Knees Cave, Richardson Island, Cattle Point, Glenrose Cannery, Milliken, and Namu.
I analyze published images and descriptions of foliate bifaces from published reports. The traits that I examine include the length, width, base type, stem type, flake scar retouch, and flake scar orientation. I then input these data into PAST 2.17c to calculate the most parsimonious phylogeny and checked the retention and consistency indices for evidence of homoplasy. The strength of these branches is tested with 1000 bootstrap replicas.
There have not been any published works specifically examining the evolution of foliate bifaces from the Pacific Northwest. There have been studies that compare the different traits of various sites in the Pacific Northwest or that examine the other tool traditions of this area. In order to help learn more about the past spread of culture over time and space in the Pacific Northwest, more case studies examining various aspects or traits of a culture are important. By examining the distribution of different traits across various sites over time, it is possible to map out the spread of this technology, which can also help to define potential trade routes, migration patterns, or social traditions used by people of the past. This is important in order to answer larger questions about cultural evolution across the region.