In Great Plains archaeology, differences in projectile point morphologies are used to define typological groups, which are subsequently inferred to reflect unique cultural groups. The goal of this project was to investigate the variability between projectile points dating to the Late Middle Prehistoric period (2,500 – 1,300 BP) since some researchers associate these cultural remains with one group (Besant phase) while others separate them into Outlook, Besant, and Sonota phases/complexes. Metric and non-metric attributes of projectile points from six single component sites, Fincastle, One-Eleven, Happy Valley, Muhlbach, Fitzgerald, and Ruby, were statistically examined. The results showed that basal attributes remain relatively constant, while blade aspects vary greatly. Since the base of a point is considered more typologically indicative than the blade, which is connected to functional aspects, it was concluded that, based on the projectile points, these represent one typological group. / xii, 277 leaves ; 29 cm

An assemblage of distinctive projectile points from the Fincastle site (DlOx-5), Alberta at c. 2500 B.P. instigated an analysis of archaeological cultures on the Northern Plains during the late Middle Prehistoric Period. Archaeological sites included in this study are from the Pelican Lake Phase, the Besant Phase, the Sandy Creek Complex, a previously Unnamed Complex, and the Plains Woodland at approximately 2500 – 1250 B.P. A projectile point analysis was conducted on assemblages from Fincastle, EbPi-63, EgPn-111, Kenney (DjPk-1), Leavitt (24LT22), Muhlbach (FbPf-1), and Smith-Swainson (FeOw-1) sites. As part of this study, nearly 40 metric and non-metric attributes were examined in approximately 500 projectile points from these seven sites. Research findings indicate that two coeval groups existed in Alberta, identified as the Kenney and Sonota subphases of the Besant Phase. Two additional subphases are hypothesized for the Besant Phase in Wyoming and Montana. / xix, 379 leaves ; 29 cm.