Old Cordilleran

The Old Cordilleran culture is believed to have lasted from 10000 years ago to 5500 years ago. However, controversy remains over this issue, pertaining mostly to how and when human beings first arrived in America. So this is just an estimate, as the Old Cordilleran is thought to date much further back. It occupied the plateau regions of the California coast and was not considered to be a maritime settlement. However, geologists remain in dispute as to whether the plateau was located closer to the coastline during this time period due to the effects of glaciations on the sea level. If so, this location would indicate an increased dependence on the ocean for their survival.

The Old Cordilleran tool tradition can be linked to simple bifacially flaked leaf-shaped projectile points, averaging about 6 centimeters in length, and either diamond shape or plano-convex in cross section. These blades were percussion chipped, sometimes retouched with pressure-flaking, and were unspecialized. They were used as projectiles for spears or darts and also as knives. All of which indicates that the culture was dependent on hunting for survival.

Hunting sites of the time show a large dependence on land hunting. Kill sites consist of such animals as deer, bison, and other large mammals. There were no traces of toggle harpoons in the area. It is believed the Old Cordilleran adjusted to become the late phases of Lacarno Beach, and Marpole.

Both images from http://www.zoonet.org/gallery.htm

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