Middle and Late Paleoindian Adaptation to the Landscapes of Southeastern Québec

ABSTRACTWe describe the physical and vegetational landscapes prevailing before, during, and after the Younger Dryas interval within and beyond the Eastern Townships of southernmost Quebec. In the latter area lies the Cliche-Rancourt site, the only known fluted point site yet discovered in Quebec. It belongs to the Middle Paleoindian Tradition. Two recently found (2010 and 2013) additional sites along the Saint-Francois River belong to the Late Paleoindian Plano Tradition. In light of our detailed reconstruction of the changing landscapes between 13,500 and 7000 calendar years ago, population movements to acquire tool stones are examined to assess the continuity or discontinuity between Middle and Late Paleoindian in southernmost Quebec.