Ice Age people of North America : environments, origins, and adaptations /

Written by international experts, these essays present current topical and regional syntheses on the human occupation of North America earlier than 10,000 years ago. First presented at a 1989 conference, papers in this collection have been extensively revised under the editorship of Bonnichsen (Oregon State Univ.) and Turnmire (Milford, Maine). Each chapter has a separate references section, a volume total of 2,386 citations supplemented by 175 figures, 22 tables, ten endnotes, and a splendid 17-page index of proper nouns and topics. The editors' introduction establishes contexts for human remains and material culture; examines environments and regions; and assesses early versus late human migration models (coastal, overland, and via an ice-free corridor). Four topical chapters document flora, megafauna, radiocarbon chronology, and controversial Meadowcroft Rockshelter (Pennsylvania). Regions assessed include northeastern Asia/Beringia, Japan and peopling of the Americas, western Beringia, Alaska, Old Crow Basin, the Canadian cordillera, Great Basin/Snake River, northwest plains/intermontane, plains/Southwestern, southern plains, midcontinent, southeast, and Mexico. The concluding chapter reevaluate models and documents significant paradigm shifts, refuting the "Clovis first" postulate. This highly specialized volume is essential for research libraries and scholars concerned with New World Paleoindian occupation. Upper-division undergraduates and above. C. C. Kolb; National Endowment for the Humanities