Method and Theory in Coastal New York Archaeology: Paradigms of Settlement Pattern

Abstract

Settlement pattern research in Coastal New York follows the philosophical structure of advances in method and theory in science. Two alternative paradigms for settlement pattern complexity are currently under debate with the traditional based on maize as the principal factor to promote or “allow” increased sedentism, and the new on the European fur-wampum trade. The history of the two paradigms is presented and five important issues are discussed and evaluated as supporting evidence: archaeological maize, pollen, soil, fertilizer, and settlement pattern models. The evidence appears to offer stronger support for the new. The major goal of this paper is to outline past and present archaeological research as a basis for future directions; it is also to serve as a rejoinder to Silver's (1980) comments on an earlier article of mine (1979) in this journal.