In comparison to the Late Paleoindian Period (11,500–8,400 B.P.), the Early
Archaic (8,400–6,400 B.P.) in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado is a poorly understood
time because of its relatively light archaeological signature. Not only is the
archaeological record more ephemeral, but we also see a change in technologies, such
as projectile points types, in this transitional period. Some archaeologists explain these
observations as a result of changing environments caused by the Altithermal and
shifting settlement processes as people adjusted to these changes. Adding to the
muddled picture of the Early Archaic is the sometimes inappropriate application of
projectile point typologies to diagnostic bifaces found in the Gunnison basin. No
comprehensive typology exists for Archaic projectile points in the Southern Rocky
Mountains and, as a result, archeologists often apply the typology they are most familiar
with on projects in the Gunnison Basin. Using established typologies from regions
adjacent to, and from, the Southern Rocky Mountains, I examine projectile points from
the Gunnison Basin to determine what Early Archaic projectile points are present in the
area. Then, using ArcGIS, I investigate the settlement patterns of the people who lived
in the Gunnison Basin during the Early Archaic period. Based on the results of my
study, I argue that during the Early Archaic a link exists between the Great Basin and
the Gunnison Basin in the form of a movement of people or the movement of
knowledge and ideas, or possibly both. More investigation is required to make a
definitive statement, but this thesis can serve as a basis for more research into the Early
Archaic record of the Gunnison Basin
