A Darwinian macro-evolutionary perspective on the development of hunter-gatherer systems in Northwestern North America

Abstract

The archaeological record of western North American hunter-gatherers is characterized by long periods of socio-economic homogeneity interrupted by short bursts of variation. This pattern of punctuated equilibrium is best understood using a macro-evolutionary model like that employed in paleontology. We offer such a Darwinian framework, focusing on methods for recognizing distinct socioeconomic systems archaeologically and addressing processes that maintain systemic stasis and enable change. We apply this model to the prehistory of Northwestern North America, explaining a region-wide transition from highly residentially mobile foragers to semi-sedentary, logistically mobile, storage-dependent collectors between 3750 and 3000 cal. bp. Archaeological and paleoecological evidence shows that the collector Bauplan arose first along the northern Northwest Coast under conditions of relaxed competition that permitted multiple distinct Baupläne to develop. These systems coexisted from 5000 to 4200 cal. bp, when a marked temperature decline and a growing population altered the selective equation and heightened competition. Offering selective advantage under cooler conditions, the collector model spread by a combination of ethnic expansion and inter-ethnic transmission to become the sole Bauplan in the region by 3000 cal. bp.

Keywords:

• Hunter-gatherers
• Pacific Northwest
• macro-evolution
• forager-collector strategies
• cultural evolution

Notes

James C. Chatters, who received his PhD in anthropology from the University of Washington in 1982, is Lead Social Scientist for Tetra Tech FW, Inc and a research affiliate of Central Washington University. His research focuses are the evolution of hunter-gatherer resource management strategies, paleoecology of Northwestern North America, and the bioarchaeology of the first Americans. He has conducted archaeological research throughout the western United States and is currently most active in the states of California and Washington.

William C. Prentiss is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Montana. He received his PhD from Simon Fraser University in 1993. His primary research interests are Pacific Northwest prehistory, North American hunter-gatherers, lithic technology, and evolutionary theory. He is currently conducting archaeological field research in interior British Columbia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James C Chatters

James C. Chatters, who received his PhD in anthropology from the University of Washington in 1982, is Lead Social Scientist for Tetra Tech FW, Inc and a research affiliate of Central Washington University. His research focuses are the evolution of hunter-gatherer resource management strategies, paleoecology of Northwestern North America, and the bioarchaeology of the first Americans. He has conducted archaeological research throughout the western United States and is currently most active in the states of California and Washington. William C. Prentiss is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Montana. He received his PhD from Simon Fraser University in 1993. His primary research interests are Pacific Northwest prehistory, North American hunter-gatherers, lithic technology, and evolutionary theory. He is currently conducting archaeological field research in interior British Columbia.