Review by Choice Review
In this clearly argued volume, Stanford (Smithsonian) and Bradley (Univ. of Exeter, UK) present evidence and hypotheses supporting their theory that the Solutrean culture of coastal Spain and the European Atlantic Shelf was the ancestral industry to the North American Clovis industry. Their theory hinges on the technological similarities between Solutrean and Clovis and the lack of congruence between Clovis and any appropriately early East Asian industry. The factors mitigating against the theory have been crumbling: recently excavated sites in the eastern US have appropriate technology and dates to link Solutrean and Clovis; evidence for boats and boating exists in the human record since some 50,000 years ago; the "ice-free corridor" from Alaska to the Plains is both too late and too inhospitable for immigration; and northern Clovis points are late rather than early. Considering the sophistication of Arctic cultures, Stanford and Bradley argue convincingly for a maritime/ice edge adaptation for some of the Solutrean people, which could have resulted in the habitation of North America. While more evidence is needed, the onus now appears to be on the opponents of the theory to demonstrate its impossibility and find a convincing alternative that accords with the technological and chronological facts. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. L. L. Johnson Vassar College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
