Lecture 14 Besant Plains

Lecture 13 – Besant Plains

• Overview

  • Focuses on midterm themes and regions, including the Western subarctic, Metis, Eastern woodlands, and Plains

  • Exam format consists of 35 multiple-choice questions and 15 true/false questions

Middle Precontact Period

• Timeframe

  • Besant culture timeline: approximately 2,100 – 1,200 BP

  • Transition phase that integrates features of both middle and late period groups

  • Ends around 1,350 BP

• Cultural Traits

  • Features of both plains and Eastern Woodlands groups

  • Migration trends: transition from woodland environments to the plains, attracting populations to Saskatchewan

• Besant Culture Origins

  • Rooted in the Middle Missouri region (Now North and South Dakota)

  • Influenced by Sonota Culture and the Hopewell culture (notable for burial mounds)

  • Migration into the Canadian plains coincided with a warmer and wetter climate during the Roman Warm Period (2,500 – 1,600 BP)

Technological Advancements

• Hunting Tools

  • Development and adaptation of atlatl technology

    • Variation in point length (2.5 – 8 cm)

    • Features include deep notches for dart attachment and distinct bases

  • Besant stone tools

    • Heavy usage of Knife River flint from North Dakota

    • Considerations include distance from quarries and sustained regional ties

Pottery and Bison Hunting

• Pottery

  • Introduced into the plains, characterized by conoidal shapes

  • Textures range from cord roughened to smooth with decorative punctuates and bosses on rims

  • Sample vessel features a 30 cm diameter opening with a capacity of about 33 liters

  • Earliest pottery dates to approximately 2,000 BP

• Bison Hunting Techniques

  • Utilization of bison jumps and extensive bison pounds

  • Earliest recorded pound (5,200 BP) in Wyoming, commonly used after 2,000 BP

  • Techniques employed include driving bison over jumps into wood corrals

  • Sustainable practices with frequent reuse of structures

  • Trade initiated for bison meat and horticultural goods with woodland groups

Late Precontact Period

• Cultural Shifts

  • Timeline: 1,350 – 250 BP

  • Introduction of bow and arrow technology indicative of the Avonlea culture (1,350 – 1,100 BP)

  • Arrowheads: triangular and delicate with defining features such as side notches

• Avonlea Pottery

  • Distinct regional decoration styles including net impressions, smooth sides, and parallel grooves

  • Varied diet; evidence of exploitation of diverse species like antelope, deer, waterfowl, and fish (utilizing fish weirs and harpoons)

Interactions and Coexistence

• Besant and Avonlea Coexistence

  • Larger unresolved questions about interactions

  • Presence of distinct nations or competitive dynamics among groups

  • Shared materials found at common sites, leading to queries on regional occupation

• Arrowheads

  • Prairie side-notched points (1,200-550 BP) characterized by small size and U/V notches for arrows

  • Plains side-notched points (450-250 BP) show association with Mortlach pottery and eastern Woodland influences

Plains Region at European Contact

• Distinct Groups

  • Blackfoot Confederacy and the Algonquian-speaking nations

  • Member groups include Siksika, Kainai, Northern and Southern Piikani, Tsuu T’ina, and Atsina

  • Social structures based on bands of 10-30 tipis; flexible with seasonal gatherings for social or hunting purposes

• Conflicts and Relationships

  • Historical patterns show both conflict and peaceful relations among groups

  • Motivations include territorial gains, revenge, and wealth acquisition (notably in horses)

  • Practices of 'Counting Coup' show cultural significance regarding bravery and status

Horses and Plains Cultures

• Horses in North America

  • First horses crossed Bering Land Bridge but became extinct; modern horses reintroduced by Spanish in the 16th century

  • The establishment of Plains Horse culture post-1680 following the Pueblo Revolt

  • Increased mobility for hunting and warfare, enabling Blackfoot to prevent access for other Plains groups

Art and Spirituality on the Landscape

• Spiritual Practices

  • Plains region features various spiritual beliefs expressed through rock art and stone alignments

  • Rock Art Sites such as Writing on Stone and St. Victor Petroglyphs hold cultural significance

• Stone Alignments

  • Various formations made with stones, including medicine wheels and effigies

  • Alignments may serve historic purposes, including gravesites and potential solstice alignments

  • Human and animal effigies noted within traditions