The Middle Period is characterized by a more broadly-based subsistence strategy, rather than relying so heavily on big game hunting. However, bison continued to be the most important food source. The Mummy cave complex was the first to exhibit smaller, side-notched projectile points. The smaller points are thought to coincide with the introduction of atlatls.
| Dates: | 7,500 to 5,000 yr BP |
| Lithics: | Side-notched points are introduced. The variety of point types indicates that there were several human cultures that existed during this time period. The small number of good archaeological sites from this time period has made a detailed chronology currently impossible. |
| Technology: | Local quartzite material was used although more distant sources of chert, chalcedony and obsidian are also common. The introduction of side-notched points is due to a change in hafting techniques. The earlier spears were replaced with darts which were propelled by atlatls, a much more efficient projectile thrower. The subsistence pattern was dominated by bison hunting. Classic bison jumps appear in the time period. |
| Distribution: | Throughout Saskatchewan. |
| Sites: | There are numerous surface finds but there are also some excavated sites as well. The Gowan 1 and Gowen 2 sites, the Norby Site (these three are in Saskatoon), Long Creek site and Oxbow Dam site (both in the southeastern part of the province) are the best known. Sites from this time period are often deeply buried and diffcult to access. Because most of the sites that have been radiocarbon dates are from the most recent 1500 years of this period, it may be that there was a population increase at that time. |
| Environment: | The Middle Period begins just after the onset of the Altithermal or Atlantic Period. It was characterized by an increase in overall temperature and a decrease in rainfall. The vegetation on the plains was reduced due to the frequent drought conditions. This led archaeologists to initially believe that the Plains were abandoned by ancient peoples during this time although this has since proved false. The warmer and drier climate forced the boreal forest further north. These areas were quickly replaced by grasslands. In most areas of Saskatchewan the grassland border with the forest was 120 km north of the present-day boundary. Mazama ash, evidence of a large volcanic explosion, was deposited throughout western Canada at 6800 yr BP. |
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