A Model of Paleoindian Hafted Biface Chronology in Northeastern Indiana

Northeastern Indiana is situated at the interface of the Great Lakes, Ohio, and Upper Mississippi watersheds. Paleoindian hafted bifaces from northeastern Indiana include varieties with distributions centered in the Great Lakes, Southeast, and Plains. Paleoindian hafted bif ace chronology in this region must be viewed in light of both the regionalization oflithic technologies that characterizes the Middle Paleoindian period and the complex ecological changes that occurred as the environment shifted from a peri-glacial tundra/boreal parkland to one dominated by closed deciduous forest. A general sequence of Paleoindian point forms is proposed. Gainey and Barnes/Cumberland points occur, suggesting affinities with the Great Lakes region during the early and middle portions of the Paleoindian period. During the Late Paleoindian period, Holcombe, Hi-Lo, and Agate Basin points occur. The varying regional affiliations of these point types suggest the regional-scale ranges of hunter-gatherers may have shifted several times during the PleistoceneHolocene transition. Based on an analysis of metric data collected from hafted bifaces, population replacement, rather than in situ development from Holcombe, is suggested as a possible explanation for the appearance of Hi-Lo technologies in northern Indiana.