The Early Holocene archaeology of Florida: geospatial approaches to understanding Bolen mobility

ABSTRACT Three of the most influential archaeological models in the southeastern US have argued that early foragers organized their lifeways via seasonal movement along major drainage basins; around access to raw material sources, crossing drainage basins; or around group foraging needs, following central place foraging models. We examine the distribution of Early Holocene Bolen sites in Florida in light of these models by combining Florida Master Site File data with avocational collection data and conducting spatial analyses. It is not clear to what extent the models are applicable to this low-relief area with comparatively ubiquitous toolstone, little data on seasonality, and rivers that likely were not flowing. Our analyses suggest that Bolen site distribution is highly patterned, with a few extremely large sites clustered around water sources and numerous single artifact finds in more remote areas. Our interpretation is that Bolen represents a population increase coincident with greater surface water availability that facilitated regular aggregations. The spacing of large sites indicates to us local-group territories, each of which had toolstone resources and reliable water. North Florida may present a more general organizing principle that applies throughout the Southeast: water, seasonal variation, and toolstone availability.