Prehistoric Settlement and Subsistence Patterns in the Great Smoky Mountains

Data derived from 205 sites located in the 1975 survey (National Park Service Contract Number CX500050211) and the McPherson/Wilburn survey (1936-1941) have defined a cultural prehistory for the Great Smoky Mountains spanning approximately 8,000 years. The Great Smoky Mountains were first occupied, albeit ephemerally, during the Early Archaic period. This was followed by more intensive occupations of the region during the successive broadly-defined Middle Archaic through historic Cherokee phases. The data reflect changing settlement and subsistence patterns during these periods. Study of the temporal and spatial distribution of lithic materials illustrates significant shifts in the utilization of lithic resources. These changes have been interpreted as an adaptive strategy directly related to the changing settlement and subsistence patterns. The problem of the utilization of the summit zone and possible aboriginal influence in bald formation is discussed.