What is the Archaic?

Abstract

Since its inception by Ritchie1 the term “The Archaic,“ or “The Archaic Pattern,” has seen considerable usage. However, it appears that the definition or delineation of this pattern, as it exists, is not serviceable. If this be true, there is then an anomalous situation in that: (1) Manifestations which have been classified by Webb and Dejarnette, Webb and Haag, Fairbanks, and Lewis and Kneberg, as components or foci of the Archaic, are thereby correlated at the pattern level. (2) The concept in terms of which they have been so correlated is inaccurate.Ritchie's most concrete formulations are:The long postulated archaic level in New York recently confirmed by intensive work in the Southeast consists of an aggregate of discrete foci, sharing a hunting-fishing-gathering economy. Its chief characteristics are the absence of horticultural traces, ceramics, and the smoking pipe. (Italics mine.)