Pre-Archaic Occupations in the West Arm of the Black Rock Desert

The relationship between humans and the environments in which they lived is a major topic of interest to archaeologists in the Great Basin. Many early archaeological sites occur on remnant shorelines of ancient lakes and marshes, suggesting a reliance on wetland resources within the region. Archaeological data collected between 2004 and 2006 from surface sites in the Black Rock Desert offer an example of early human occupations surrounding these pluvial lakes as well as the nature of these occupations. This study demonstrates how people concentrated their activities adjacent to large lakes and wetlands following their arrival to the Great Basin. It also compares the spatial and temporal relationships between archaeological sites and lake levels in the West Arm of the Black Rock Desert. The results indicate that the Black Rock Desert is an ideal place to better understand human occupations during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition (11,500 B.P.-7,500 B.P.).

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Degree

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Camp, Anna J.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Haynes, Gary A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• White, Carolyn L.
• Scott, Richard
• Mensing, Scott

• Great Basin
• Lake Lahontan
• Pleistocene
• Stemmed Point Tradition

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright(All Rights Reserved)

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11714/4146

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/4146