Paleoenvironments and cultural dynamics at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta: the carbon isotope record

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorKelley, N. Jane H.
dc.contributor.authorMcKinnon, Neil A.
dc.coverage.spatial2000002193en
dc.coverage.spatial200000464en
dc.date.accessioned2005-07-21T21:41:07Z
dc.date.available2005-07-21T21:41:07Z
dc.date.issued1986
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 200-219.en
dc.description.abstractThis thesis focuses on former human-environment interrelationships on the southern Alberta Plains. Systemic models of environment and culture are used as heuristic devices within which questions concerning conditions necessary for culture change and the adaptations made under such conditions are examined. Past bison feeding behaviour is inferred and proxy paleoenvironmental data are developed using stable carbon isotope analysis of bison bone samples from Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (DkPj-1). Previous CJ and C4 grass abundances in the area are used to reconstruct climatic episodes and conditions. These are correlated with the archaeological record from the site. Hypotheses are formulated concerning human adaptive behaviour under different climatic conditions. It is found that resource utilization is more thorough and procurement techniques more complex during times of climatic stress. Stressful environmental conditions are associated with decreased population levels and evidence of trade diminishes at these times. Climatic factor thresholds that may precipitate culture change are defined in terms of magnitude and duration. There is some evidence that variety in material culture buffers the effects of climatic change although it was found that variety was not necessarily greater during stressful climatic periods.
dc.format.extentxiii, 219 leaves : map ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationMcKinnon, N. A. (1986). Paleoenvironments and cultural dynamics at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta: the carbon isotope record (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/18585en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/18585
dc.identifier.isbn0315360062en
dc.identifier.lccQE 720 M17 1987en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/23767
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.lccQE 720 M17 1987en
dc.subject.lcshPaleoecology - Alberta - Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
dc.subject.lcshHead-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (Alta.) - Antiquities
dc.subject.lcshBison, Fossil
dc.subject.lcshRadiocarbon dating
dc.titlePaleoenvironments and cultural dynamics at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta: the carbon isotope record
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineArchaeology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts (MA)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.notesoffsiteen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_McKinnon_1986.pdf
Size:
82.91 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Thesis
Download
Collections
Legacy Theses