These three different projectile point types (pictured below are, from left to right, Duncan, Hanna, and McKean) are often found together at archaeological sites. It is for this reason, despite their different appearance, they have been grouped together into one complex. It is thought that the McKean complex represents an intrusive culture--peoples or technologies that may have come from the southwest.
| Dates: | 4,100 to 3,100 yr BP |
| Lithics: | Lithic raw material was mainly local although material from distant sources does occur. There are three distinctive point types associated with this phase: McKean, Duncan and Hanna. McKean is basally notched, Duncan has broad notches making it look almost stemmed, while Hanna is side-notched. The exact relationship between these points is still unclear. |
| Technology: | The points were hafted onto atlatl dart shafts. Subsistence patterns were dominated by bison hunting although antelope, deer and dog were also consumed. |
| Distribution: | Throughout Saskatchewan |
| Sites: | There are numerous excavated Duncan / Hanna / McKean sites including campsites, kill sites and a human cremation. The Red Tail site in Wanuskewin Heritage Park and the Crown site near Nipawin both contain McKean complex materials. |
| Environment: | The Sub-Boreal Period (4680 to 2890 yr BP) begins just after McKean. Although initially warm it is characterized by increasingly severe winters. The Neoglacial, a term applied to the general cooling that begins to occur, starts about 4000 yr BP and results in glacial ice advances in the mountains and arctic. |
 |
|