Approximately 5,500 years ago a discreet period of
wetter and cooler environmental conditions prevailed
across the southern Columbia Plateau. This period was
marked by the first prominent episodes of erosion to occur
along the lower Snake River following the height of the
Altithermal and eruption of Mt. Mazama during the mid
post-glacial. In addition to the reactivation of small
stream courses choked with debris and sediment, large
stream channels began downcutting and scouring older
terrace faces incorporated with large accumulations of
Mazama ash. The resulting degradation of aquatic habitats
forced concurrent changes within human economies adapted
to the local riverine-environments. These adjustments
reported for the Tucannon phase time period along the
lower Snake River are notable and demonstrate the degree
to which Cascade phase culture was unsuccessful in coping
with environmental instability at the end of the
Altithermal time period. This successionary event has
demonstratively become the most significant post-glacial,
qualitative change to occur in the lifeways of lower Snake
River people prior to Euro-American influence. / Graduation date: 1995
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/35179 |
| Date | 29 September 1994 |
| Creators | Lucas, Steven W. |
| Contributors | Brauner, David R. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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