What Are The Implications Of The High Frequency Of Expedient Tool Production In The Folsom Horizon Of The Great Plains On Our Understanding Of Paleoindian Mobility Patterns And Subsistence Strategies, Particularly In Relation To The Presence Of High-quality Lithic Raw Materials In The Region?
The high frequency of expedient tool production during the Folsom horizon in the Great Plains offers significant insights into Paleoindian mobility and subsistence strategies:
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Mobility Patterns: The prevalence of expedient tools suggests a highly mobile lifestyle. Paleoindians likely moved frequently, following game such as mammoths and bison, which were their primary food sources. This mobility meant they needed tools that could be made quickly and discarded without hesitation, as carrying heavy, durable tools would have been impractical.
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Subsistence Strategies: Their subsistence was centered on hunting large game, for which specialized, curated tools like Folsom points were essential. These points, made from high-quality lithic materials, indicate planning and curation, reflecting the importance of reliable tools for successful hunting. Expedient tools, however, were used for processing and other tasks where durability was less critical.
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Resource Utilization: The presence of high-quality raw materials in the region suggests that Paleoindians had access to resources for making durable tools. However, they strategically used these materials for critical tools like projectile points, reserving expedient tools for less demanding tasks. This approach indicates a flexible and efficient use of resources, tailored to their mobile lifestyle.
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Tool Use Strategy: The combination of curated and expedient tools points to a balanced approach. Curated tools were used for essential tasks requiring reliability, while expedient tools provided convenience for everyday needs. This strategy highlights their adaptability and resourcefulness in a challenging environment.
In summary, the Folsom horizon's tool production patterns reflect a mobile, hunting-focused society that efficiently utilized available resources. Their tool-making strategies were adapted to a lifestyle of movement and resourcefulness, balancing the need for specialized tools with the practicality of expedient ones.