The Emergence of Complex Hunter-Gatherers on the Canadian Plateau: A Response to Hayden

Abstract

Brian Hayden argues that our analysis of Keatley Creek stratigraphy and dates offers inaccurate conclusions. Although our data demonstrate that the village appeared late and was somewhat unstable, Hayden continues to support a model of early emergence and high stability. Hayden offers no new data to support his position. Consequently, we argue that there is no reason to reject our revised view.

The emergence of status inequality in intermediate scale societies: A demographic and socio-economic history of the Keatley Creek site, British Columbia

“…Recent research by Prentiss et al (2003Prentiss et al ( , 2005a has offered an alternative dating sequence for the rim midden deposits of Housepit 7 and the Keatley Creek village. New dating of early features suggests that Housepit 7 and likely the entire aggregated village existed between 1614 and 747 cal.…”

Everything Old Is New Again: Recent Approaches to Research on the Archaic Period in the Western United States

“…B.P., when it was finally abandoned. In addition, while Hayden sees complexity developing during a time of rich salmon runs and plentiful resources, W. Prentiss et al ( , 2005 and A. Prentiss et al (2007) instead see complexity emerging during intervals of environmental stress.…”

“…The Keatley Creek area is reported to have neighboring large village sites that date to the same general period (Hayden 2005;Hayden et al 1996;A. Prentiss et al 2007; W. Prentiss et al , 2005. Perhaps research on these other sites, especially research that focuses on paleoclimatic reconstructions for the period in question, 2600-800 B.P., will provide additional data to help resolve the issue.…”

“…Prentiss et al 2007; W. Prentiss et al , 2005 have reexamined the evidence used by Hayden et al (1996) and conclude that the large house pit at the center of their analysis was not in existence for the entire period, that their radiocarbon dates provide only a maximal date of 1700 cal. B.P.…”

“…Prentiss et al 2007; W. Prentiss et al , 2005. This well-studied site lies on the Frasier Plateau, in the northernmost part of the Plateau region.…”