| Dates: | 8,800 to 7,500 yr BP |
| Lithics: | There was an increase in the use of local lithic sources. Federick, Lusk and Jimmy Allan (pictured above) projectile points are all present in this time period also known as Terminal Paleoindian. These varieties are lanceolate-shaped with slightly to deeply concave bases. Some of these varieties of points may be a result of influence from the mountains and foothills to the west. |
| Technology: | The points were hafted onto spear shafts. |
| Distribution: | Southern Saskatchewan. |
| Sites: | There are numerous surface finds in the province but there are no excavated sites. |
| Environment: | The glaciers receded throughout this period and the province was ice-free by the end of this period. As the glaciers receded they left behind a huge volume of water. The moist earth resulted in the invasion of a spruce forest along the edges of the glacial ice sheet. The northern half of the province was covered in a thick spruce forest. Eventually the drier conditions of the Boreal Period (9650 to 8450 yr BP) resulted in warm, dry summers. Grasslands began to move into the southern part of the province as the area began to dry up. By 9500 yr BP Glacial Lake Agassiz (pronounced a-ga-zee) had drained to the east. It was completely drained by 8500 yr BP. After a swing towards cooler temperatures the Altithermal or Atlantic Period (8450-4680 yr BP) began. This created an even warmer climate than the Boreal period. The warmer and drier climate forced the boreal forest farther north. Grasslands quickly replaced these areas. In most areas of Saskatchewan the grassland border with the forest was 120 km north of the present-day boundary. |
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