The indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere

Steeves (sociology, Algona Univ., Canada; Mount Allison Univ., Canada), of Cree-Métis heritage, has written a unique and thoughtful book deriving from her doctoral dissertation. Extrapolating evidence from more than 200 Western Hemisphere archaeological sites, characterizing 130,000 years (prior to 11,200 years BCE) of ancient landscapes and environments, and mammalian and human migrations, the author's careful research spans 24 years. Eight chapters, supplemented by five maps, 489 endnotes, and 490 references, combines data from linguistics, genetics, oral tradition, and archaeology to "rewrite" the previous history and development of American archaeology, critique the decolonization of indigenous histories, and challenge the simplifications and distortions of "official" Western views of history, providing an indigenous perspective of the American Paleolithic. Data suggests that people inhabited the Western Hemisphere prior to Clovis sites (10,200 years ago), likely for more than 60,000 years and possibly for more than 100,000 years. Steeves challenges the deep-rooted contention that Clovis marked the beginning of the Paleo-Indian period occupation of this hemisphere, which newer archaeological research by American and European scholars also successfully challenges. This solid narrative of research findings--the first from a Native American perspective--is essential reading. Summing Up: Essential. General readers through faculty; professionals. --Charles C. Kolb, independent scholar