abstract, precis on clovis technologies

Abstract
The article, “Redefining the Age of Clovis: Implications for the peopling of Americas” attempts to identify a specific time range for the Clovis technology utilization of the Americas. The article provides a myriad of carbon dating data collected from Clovis artifacts in order to support their theory of approximate utilization period. Although an approximate timeline is agreed upon by researches of this field, the article introduces various theories as to why Clovis technologies appeared “synchronously across the United States” those being: Clovis was the first technology of the Americas, or it was developed in situ with pre-existing technologies (Stafford. Waters 1124).
Precis
Throughout the article, ample carbon dating data, extracted from unique Clovis technologies such as, bone and ivory tools, is given in order to provide a strong foundation of scientific evidence which indicates that the rapid growth of peoples’ utilization of Clovis technologies, began approximately 13,125 to 12, 925 years ago. The article then acknowledges scientific exceptions, such as artifacts found in the Sheaman, Wyoming site, that would refute their theory of approximate utilization. The article then goes on to dismiss these exceptions as intangible evidence by suggesting that they were probably contaminated and mixed with younger cultural materials. However, the article does acknowledge that peoples, who utilized Clovis technologies, had predecessors, which used more primitive style of tools, and provides evidence in support of this notion. The article then uses these people to explain their theory of rapid Clovis utilization by suggesting that Clovis technologies “developed in situ” from the primitive style of tools, and that the Clovis technologies were so pragmatic and effective that it rapidly spread by means social interaction and trade. The spontaneous and omnipresent growth is significant because it indicates cultural unification among prehistoric Indians, and suggests the presence of a trade system within the pre-Columbian Americas.