Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Portions of Central Oregon exhibit evidence of human occupation for at least the last 12,000 C14 years (C14 = Carbon 14 dating years) (14,000 calendar years). There are no known sites representative of the Paleo-Indian period prior to 10,500 C14 years ago (12,400 calendar years) in Central Oregon, that is, sites with pre-10,500 dates and corresponding fluted points. However, there are sites in Central Oregon with dates that fall into this period without the cultural elements, specifically Fort Rock Cave (Bedwell 1973) and the Paulina Lake Site (Connolly 1995). Typically in Western North America, elements of settlement and land use during this period with archaeological implications include: small site sizes, very infrequent occurrences, low assemblage diversity, fluted point types (Clovis, Folsum) and raw material types derived from sources at great distances. Collectively, these attributes document a pattern dominated by short-term, non-recurrent use/occupation of particular sites and locales Houser 1996). Their occurrence is thought to likely exist in and around Central Oregon, but likely obscured by deposition such as that caused by aeolian and fluvial forces, and Mt. Mazama in particular.

As the climate became warmer and drier during the early Holocene, large game became less abundant and subsistence necessarily became more diversified with increasing reliance on a wider range of plant foods. Considerably more evidence of human use of Central Oregon appears at this time, i.e., between about 10,500 and 7,000 C14 years ago (12,400 and 7,800 calendar years). There may be some locations within Central Oregon which contain Early Archaic sites dating from this period; however, as with sites assigned to the Paleo-Indian period, sites of the Early Archaic are also thought to be buried under Mt. Mazama ash and pumice and more difficult to locate (Houser 1996).

Between 7,000 and 2,000 C14 years ago (7,800 and 1,900 calendar years), known as the Middle Archaic, there is a virtual explosion in the physical evidence for human presence in the Pacific Northwest and in Central Oregon. The number of archaeological sites dating to this period increases dramatically, as Native populations expanded into environments only previously minimally visited or exploited. During this same period, inter-regional trade networks became more firmly established, with trade goods helping to offset periodic, localized shortages of food and other commodities. The "winter village pattern" emerged during this period. Although definitions vary among researchers, its primary characteristics include clusters of pithouse dwellings. These features are considered to mark the beginning of the pattern of culture on the Plateau and contiguous portions of the Great Basin that still existed at the time of Contact (i.e, between Native and European populations).

The final episode of prehistoric presence in Central Oregon begins about 2,000 C14 years ago (1,900 calendar years) and is referred to as the Late Archaic. While there appear to have been no fundamental shifts in cultural adaptation from the preceding period, regional variation and adaptation appear to have continued, resulting in even more distinctive local cultures, which may have involved migrations of Numic speaking peoples into the area (Aikens and Jenkins 1994). While there is an abundance of sites dating to the Late Archaic, some areas may actually have seen reduced use and visitation during this period. Mack's survey at Glass Buttes (Mack 1975) clearly demonstrates reduced use of this region during the Late Archaic. Connolly (1995) also notes a reduction of obsidian procurement from Newberry Caldera sources at this time.

USDA Forest Service - Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Last Modified: Monday, 12 January 2004 at 16:43:19 EST