Archaic
At a glance:
- Series: American Indians Ready Reference
- Categories: Civilizations, Cultures
- Subcategories: Native Americans, American Indians
- Curriculum: American Indian History
- Geographical Location: North America, South America
- Date: Beginning 8000
The term “Archaic” was designated by archaeologists Gordon Willey and Philip Phillips as nomenclature for the period between the end of the Paleo-Indian big-game hunting and gathering period and the beginnings of settled, agriculture-based village life. It has roughly the same meaning in the New World as the term “Mesolithic” does in the Old World. The Archaic tradition covers several millennia and is broadly construed. It includes societies that were highly nomadic, such as those of the Desert culture, as well as more sedentary groups, such as riverine and coastal shell-fishing...
[The entire page is 514 words long]