Regional Variability in Clovis, Folsom, and Cody Land Use

Several alternative models of Paleoindian economies, social organization, and mobility patterns have been developed. Testing such models remains difficult due in part to the emphasis on site-specific studies. Regional studies provide information on prehistoric behavior and land use to complement site-specific data. This study examines Paleoindian land use through a regional investigation of Clovis, Folsom, and Code projectile point distributions in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Marked climatic and ecological changes during the Plains Paleoindian period resulted in extinctions and the reorganization of flora and fauna by 10,000 RCYBP. Prehistoric people responded to these climatic and biotic changes by altering subsistence strategies, technology, and mobility patterns. Each of these cultural complexes exhibits distinctive regional patterning. This enables a reassessment of existing models. The projectile point distributions suggest that Clovis adaptation may have been independent of geographical region, whereas Folsom was more regionally focused. The distinctive Cody distribution includes a strong link to woodland environments. This study attests to variability among three Paleoindian complexes dated between 11,500- 8,000 RCYBP.