Abstract

The Sjovold Site (EiNs-4) in south central Saskatchewan contains 21 cultural components beginning with the Hanna complex some 4,100 years ago and ending with recent historic materials. Although there is a general correspondence between the sequence of occupations at the Sjovold site and the culture/historical sequence expected for the region, there are anomalies among some of the Sjovold components of the Late Middle Period. One would expect a sequence of Pelican Lake occupations dating from 3000 to 1850 B.P. followed by, and perhaps slightly intermixed with, a series of Besant components dating from 2050 to 1150 B.P. However, Layer XIV marks a distinct interruption in the Pelican Lake sequence of corner notched forms at a date several hundred years earlier than expected. Layer XIVs sample of well made side notched projectile points is associated with a date of 2500±85 radiocarbon years B.P. After a review of archaeological literature pertaining to the Northern Plains and surrounding regions, I conclude that the side notched projectile points in Layer XIV are most similar stylistically to those of the Besant complex. The predommance of Knife River Flint, an exotic chipped stone material, is another Layer XIV trait which further supports a Besant identity. I propose, therefore, that Layer XIV material represents an early variant of the Besant complex whose temporal range should be extended backward to 2500 B.P. A noteworthy consequence of this proposal is that the onset of Besant on the Plains now comes close to the beginning of the Sub-Atlantic climatic episode when the Boreal forest of the Western Interior shifted into its historic position bordering the Northern Plains. Moreover, a 2500 B.P. initial date for Besant puts the Northern Plains culture/historical sequence into step with major developments in neighbouring regions, developments such as the initiation of the Woodland Period in the Mississippi Valley of the Eastern Woodlands, and the introduction of bow and arrow technology in the Eastern Great Basin.