Freshwater availability as the constraining factor in the Middle Paleoindian occupation of North‐Central Florida

Abstract

AbstractThe locations of reliable surface water exposures during the Middle Paleoindian period (10,800–10,200 14C yr B.P.) in north‐central Florida are reconstructed and compared to the concentrations of Middle Paleoindian projectile points. Estimates of water table levels and surface water flow in Florida's karst geology confirm prior climate reconstructions for that time indicating the area was arid and supported a xeric ecology in most upland locales. Surface water flow data from recent extreme droughts and water table estimations are used to identify the areas of highest probability for surface water availability. The distribution of the highest concentrations of Middle Paleoindian points correlates with the areas of highest probability, indicating that scarce surface water sources were the strongest constraint on occupation location during that time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.