Cultural Complex C occurs primarily between the depths of 50 to 72
inches below baseline. The definition is based on the occurrence of
a cluster of traits similar to those found in a previously defined
unmixed culture. A certain amount of the apparent overlap is due to
the telescoped nature of the stratigraphy, which aggravates the effects
of trampling and other disturbances. It is not possible on the basis
of the available evidence to determine the relationship of Complex C
to those traits which are not consistent with the culture. They may
represent traits adopted by the C people, or they could be remains of
intermittent occupation by other groups, (see above).
The closest affiliation of Complex C is to the lower level of the
McKean Site, (Mulloy, 1954a), Signal Butte I, and related sites. The
most significant typological similarities occur in the projectile point
categories. The most numerous type at the site is the shouldered,
concave based point, (24 examples), designated “Duncan” by Wheeler
(1952). “Duncan” points are very common at the McKean Site. Somewhat
less well represented at the LoDaisKa are the McKean lanceolate
types. Though the general similarity to the McKean type material is
undeniable, certain differences occur uniformly. Most noticeable is
the discrepancy in size, McKean specimens being consistently larger.
The largest LoDaisKa examples approximate the smaller or medium-sized
McKean points. The small LoDaisKa points are completely out of the
range of McKean specimens, but certain of them do resemble types from
Signal Butte I, (Strong, 1935). Such differences and similarities may
reflect distance and local stylistic variation, functions of the points
in different economies, or perhaps chronological difference.
A second trait which was found to be useful in defining Complex C
is the end scraper. Though common at all depths above 72 inches, it
is almost completely absent below and aids in segregation of the
complexes, especially C and D. Many such scrapers were found at McKean
and Signal Butte.
The third important trait of technological as well as typological
significance is the striking of prismatic flakes, presumably from
prepared cores. As in the case of projectile points, most of the
examples are smaller than those which occur at McKean. On the other
hand, they appear to be more regular with a greater percentage that
have trapezoidal sections and roughly parallel sides. Some of these
have been worked and utilized as gravers, cutting edges, and possibly
scrapers. In this respect they approach, though do not equal, the
classic northern prismatic flake assemblages. For example, they
approximate the lower part of the size range and the slightly rougher
section of the material from Anangula Island, (Laughlin and Marsh,
1954).
The vertical distribution of stone-filled hearths is not confined to
the limits of Complex C. However, those features may be related to
those at McKean where they are large and well-defined. Grinding stones
were also important at both sites.
[Illustration: FIGURE 76—Projectile points from Signal Butte
illustrated for comparison. A-C. Signal Butte I, presumably IA. D-F,
flake points, presumably IC. A-D, drawn from photostats courtesy of R.
Forbis, E-F by R. G. Forbis.]
Relations with Signal Butte I are most evident in the projectile point
category, especially in the size average. A communication received
from R. G. Forbis, to whom we are deeply indebted, indicates that the
modal weight of the Signal Butte McKean points is about .56 that of
those at the McKean Site. Further, the collections from Signal Butte
contain three flake points. One striking example of a flake point in
the shape of a “Duncan” was found at LoDaisKa, (Fig. 15, type A).
Other flake points of varying form (listed as xx) occur in Complex C
levels. Some of these are not dissimilar to that of Signal Butte I, but
Dr. Forbis feels that these may belong to a later phase than the McKean
points. The main differences lie in the relative scarcity or perhaps
absence of straight stemmed or “Duncan” types at Signal Butte I[9],
and the occurrence of flared stemmed varieties or “Hanna” points. The
former are numerous at LoDaisKa, the latter absent. There is a good
possibility that Signal Butte I should be divided into two or three
phases, with McKean points earliest, (Bliss, 1950b, and R. G. Forbis,
personal communication).
[9] American Journal of Science, Vol. 257, No. 1, Jan. ’59, p. 21
“Lamont Natural Radiocarbon Measurements V.” Dates are now available
for Signal Butte, Ia: L 385 B, 4550±220 years and Signal Butte Ic: L
385 D, 4170±250 years. However, they may suggest that there is little
time lapse between the cultures of Signal Butte I.
Relations to other known sites may also be noted. Not only the stemmed
and lanceolate points, but side-notched and certain corner-notched
types are found in Deadman Cave, Stansbury Island, and Danger Cave
(Smith, 1952; Jameson, 1958; Jennings, 1957). The total range, however,
differs considerably. There is also some similarity to materials of the
earlier levels of Birdshead Cave, (Bliss, 1950a).
The stemmed “Duncan” types have rather wide morphological similarities.
As far away as Texas, middle levels of certain sites yield similar
materials (Pearce, 1932, pp. 46-47). Pedernales points of the Edwards
Plateau Aspect are roughly comparable (Suhm, Krieger, Jelks, 1954, p.
468; Kelley, 1947, 1959). At the other extreme, Thomas Kehoe (1955)
reports finding “Duncan-like” points at the Billy Big Springs Site
in Montana. Lister (1953) has suggested that a generalized form of
indented-based, stemmed point is a horizon marker in the West and
Southwest.
A large number of the artifacts that occur with the above are of
little diagnostic value. However, some of them are probably associated
culturally and formed part of the total artifact inventory. These
include: leaf-shaped and triangular knives, end and side scrapers, and
discoidal and serrated forms, one expanding base drill, perforators,
a few small ovoid bifaces, utilized flakes, chopper/hammerstones, one
bone ornament, paint stones, headed and splintered awls, used bone
splinters, one bone knife, and one wood shaft.