A Perspective on Paleoindian Research from the Opposite End of the Foraging Spectrum. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Victor D.
• Is Part Of: PaleoAmerica. Volume 4:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Theory -- foraging spectrum -- research trends; Land settlement patterns, Prehistoric -- America -- Periodicals; Land settlement patterns, Prehistoric -- Periodicals; Prehistoric peoples -- Population -- Periodicals; Prehistoric peoples -- America -- Periodicals; Antiquities, Prehistoric -- America -- Periodicals; Antiquities, Prehistoric -- Periodicals; 970.011
• DOI: 10.1080/20555563.2018.1525526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-5563

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This essay is a perspective on Paleoindian research examining the nature of this body of scholarship and how it is perceived by outside scholars. The discussion revolves around three different tropes in Paleoindian literature: (1) chronology and settlement research; (2) technology studies; (3) behavioral and ecological theory. While the studies that make up these tropes are not inherently invalid or bad, the focus on similar problems by a wide range of researchers seems to have limited Paleoindian scholarship to some degree. The intent of this essay is to provide scholars with a discussion piece regarding how their scholarship is perceived by outsiders and thus offer a departure point for debate regarding future trajectories of Paleoindian research.