Review by Choice Review
Odell's well-written work presents the results of his analysis of five archaeological sites found along the Lower Illinois River Valley of midcontinental North America. Odell chose ten components from these sites for detailed stone tool analysis and included them in the study. These prehistoric settlements represent about 7,500 years of prehistory--from around 8,400 to 900 years ago. Prehistoric people used these sites for camping and in one case for a more permanent farmstead. The author's presentation is logical and clear. He begins with a description of the physical environment and a brief summary of relevant archaeological investigations. He then discusses his goals and the methods used to achieve them, followed by a site-by-site description of his analysis. The book concludes with a comparison of the materials from each site and a set of general conclusions. Odell has produced a splendid modern regional study. Strengths include his clear writing style and concise descriptions of how archaeologists use various lines of evidence to infer the prehistoric uses of stone tools and sites. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above. T. A. Foor University of Montana
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
