This collection of 13 essays examines prehistoric trade in California and the Great Basin, focusing on how material got from its source of origin to the place where it was recovered by archaeologists. Despite the vast distances and harsh terrain of the region, material goods did in fact travel great distances and in rather large quantities.
While this is a very basic archaeological question, it is one of great importance in understanding prehistoric cultures.
Each of the contributors describes the circumstances and conditions under which trade, direct access, and mobility account for the conveyance of material goods across varying distances and at different times. They also evaluate competing hypotheses about the human behaviors responsible for the movement of goods. Methods for identifying sources are covered in depth. This volume is an important contribution to a critical issue in American archaeology. —Mark Michel