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Cited by 186Pleistocene-Era Hominins and ArchaeologyArchaeology and ancient environmental studiesArchaeological and Geological Studies

Clovis Hunting Strategies, or How to Make out on Plentiful Resources

Waguespack, Nicole M., Surovell, Todd A.·2003·American Antiquity
DOI 10.2307/3557083
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Abstract

Traditionally, hunter-gatherers of the Clovis period have been characterized as specialized hunters of large terrestrial mammals. Recent critiques have attempted to upend this position both empirically and theoretically, alternatively favoring a more generalized foraging economy. In this paper, the distinction between subsistence specialists and generalists is framed in terms of forager selectivity with regards to hunted prey, following a behavioral ecological framework. Faunal data are compiled from 33 Clovis sites and used to test the two alternative diet-breadth hypotheses. The data support the older “Clovis as specialist” model, although some use of small game is apparent. Furthermore, data from modern hunter-gatherers are marshaled to support the theoretical plausibility of specialized large-mammal hunting across North America during the Late Pleistocene. , RésuméTradicionalmente, los cazadores-recolectores del período Clovis han sido caracterizados como cazadores especializados en la fauna mayor. Sin embargo, críticas recientes han tratado de cambiar esta posicíon por una que favorece la economía de recolección generalizada. Este artículo discute la distinción entre la subsistencia generalizada y la especializada en términos de la selectividad del recolector respecto a las presas de caza, desde un punto de vista ecológico conductual. Se utilizan datos faunísticos compilados de 33 sitios Clovis para investigar las dos hipótesis alternas sobre la variedad dieté tica. Los datos apoyan el modelo tradicional de “especialistas Clovis” aunque aparentemente estos cazadores utilizaron alguna fauna menor. Además, datos provenientes de cazadores-recolectores modernos refuerzan la veracidad teórica de la cacería de fauna mayor a través de Norte America durante el Pleistoceno Tardío.

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Authors
Waguespack, N. M., & Surovell, T. A.
Affiliations
University of Arizona (US)
Venue
American Antiquity
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2003-04
Volume
68
Issue
2
Pages
333-352
ISSN
  • 0002-7316 (ISSN-L)
  • 2325-5064
DOI
10.2307/3557083
OpenAlex
W2316465993
Cited by
186
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
FWCI
11.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 5043 d)
Locations
American Antiquity (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Archaeological and Geological Studies
Keywords
Clovis, hunting strategies, diet breadth, small games, behavioral ecology, Late Pleistocene, hunter-gatherers, faunal data

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