The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere

By: Paulette F. C. Steeves

Narrated by: Kristin Aikin Salada

The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere is a reclaimed history of the deep past of Indigenous people in North and South America during the Paleolithic. Paulette F. C. Steeves mines evidence from archaeology sites and Paleolithic environments, landscapes, and mammalian and human migrations to make the case that people have been in the Western Hemisphere not only just prior to Clovis sites (10,200 years ago) but for more than 60,000 years, and likely more than 100,000 years.

Steeves discusses the political history of American anthropology to focus on why pre-Clovis sites have been dismissed by the field for nearly a century. She explores supporting evidence from genetics and linguistic anthropology regarding First Peoples and time frames of early migrations. Additionally, she highlights the work and struggles faced by a small yet vibrant group of American and European archaeologists who have excavated and reported on numerous pre-Clovis archaeology sites.

In this first book on Paleolithic archaeology of the Americas written from an Indigenous perspective, The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere includes Indigenous oral traditions, archaeological evidence, and a critical and decolonizing discussion of the development of archaeology in the Americas.

The book is published by University of Nebraska Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

“This is an important and timely contribution to the field.” (Kisha Supernant, University of Alberta)

“An act of healing that benefits both Indigenous people and academic scholarship.” (Randall H. McGuire, SUNY Binghamton University)

“A timely analysis of the ethnocentric influences on past and present scientific inquiry and archaeological practice from the perspective of an Indigenous archaeologist.” (Kathleen Holen, director of the Center for American Paleolithic Research)

©2021 Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (P)2022 Redwood Audiobooks

Not sure where this book is going

Author spends too much time discussing what is wrong with colonialist scholars and very little time on what her findings are. I am 2 hours in and still don’t know where this book is going….

A Paradigm Shift. Stick with it.

I found this book when I went looking for a recent narrative overview of the peopling of the Americas. (I knew our understanding had changed since I learned about the Bering Strait hypothesis back in the fifth grade!)

This book is not that narrative, but now I understand why no one has written such a book -- for a hundred years, even as knowledge of pre-Clovis sites has trickled down to the general population, the field of archeology has steadfastly ignored and refuted this evidence.

Don't let the first few chapters, which detail the conventional theories, turn you off. This book isn't written for a general audience, and if I want to really grasp the technical details I'll have to go back and read it in print, but it has completely changed my understanding of both the peopling of the Americas, and the field of archeology as a whole. A deeply satisfying read!

Genuinely a worthwhile read

It has only deepened my respect for the culture and history of the first people. I hope it can work to open the minds ans hearts of every reader.

Excellent!

This book was better than I thought it would be. Worth the time because the message is important and at least for me unknown till I read this.

Decolonization starts in your own head

Thank you for educating me on so many levels! A manifesto to decolonize archeology (or science that is) and finally acknowledging that each indigenous people have the only right to be and claim what they are and where they come from. If ever we would have a chance would history repeat itself ? Sadly I think it would, this to the detriment of indigenous population and here I mean all, all over this blue planet.