Abstract

Unlike all other periods of Central Coast prehistory, the Early Period is typified by a high frequency of flaked stone tools. These assemblages include tools of diverse types: pebble tools, leaf-shaped bifaces, microblades, macroblades and Levalloisoid flakes and cores. This paper explores the question of the external affinities of these industries, their meaning in terms of way of life during the period, and their potential relationships to linguistic groups of the historic period.