NO. 4 A FOLSOM COMPLEX ROBERTS 9 



Studies of distribution in the area adjacent to the Rockies are 

 being carried on by Dr. Renaud and several of his students. Others 

 are interested in the problem but are not actively engaged in the work. 

 In the course of his surveys Renaud noted a type of implement which, 

 in some districts, apparently occurs in conjunction with the Folsom 

 points. Because the largest and finest series of this other type to pass 

 under his observation was in an extensive collection at Yuma, Colo., 

 he named it the Yuma type."* Yuma and Folsom points are found 

 together at many sites as surface material, and their association no 

 doubt has some significance, although just what it may be is not now 

 apparent. (Jn the basis of typology Renaud considers the Yuma older 

 than the Folsom.'^ Others, notably Mr. Figgins," do not agree. The 

 age of the Yuma type has not been satisfactorily established, though 

 one find of a debatable nature is frequently cited as proof of the 

 antiquity of the form,'"' and another is still under discussion.^" Since 

 neither the Folsom pit nor the Lindenmeier site yielded Yuma points, 

 further consideration and detailed descriptions of them are beyond 

 the requirements of this paper. It was deemed advisable to mention 

 them because the two names so frequently appear together. Persons 

 interested in the Yuma types will find them described in Renaud's 

 papers. 



The importance of the Lindenmeier site lies in the fact that for the 

 first time traces of an occupation level which can be assigned to a 

 group of Folsom men have been brought to light. Whereas prior to 

 the work in northern Colorado the only indications of this presumably 

 early hunting people were typically chipped stone points, there is now 

 a definite complex of associated implements. The last few years have 

 been marked by much loose talk and writing about the " Folsom 

 Race," the " Folsom Culture," and " Folsom Man," when actually all 

 that was known was the characteristic point. From a strict anthro- 

 pological point of view it is still incorrect to speak of " Folsom 

 Culture " because the remains so designated probably should be con- 

 sidered only as one aspect of a basic, widespread early hunting pattern 

 which may have extended across the eastern half of the continent. So 

 far as Folsom Man himself is concerned, he is still persona incognita. 

 No skeletal material that can properly be assigned to him has to date 

 been discovered. Recent reports of a Folsom Man in Minnesota 



Bell and Van Royen, 1934. Figgins, 1934. 



