Allison Neterer

Topic

The Kinggi Complex Reduction Strategy: an Ancestral Haida Lithic Technology from Early Holocene Haida Gwaii

Department of Anthropology

Date & location

• Friday, August 21, 2026
• 1:00 P.M.
• Clearihue Building, Room B007

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Quentin Mackie, Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Prof. Daryl Fedje, Department of Anthropology, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Farid Rahemtulla, Department of Anthropology, University of Northern British Columbia

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Sandra Gibbons, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, UVic

Abstract

For decades, archaeologists have referenced centripetal and Levallois-like technology at Early Holocene Pacific Coast sites. This study details a reduction strategy derived from a collection of three early Holocene sites in Haida Gwaii: Richardson Island, Collison Bay, and Kilgii Gwaay. The strategy includes a prepared core technology utilizing centripetal and unidirectional strategies. Three types of lithic cores are characterized: discoidal, Hierarchical Bifacial Centripetal, and Levallois-like. The reduction strategy is fluid and recursive and presents a comparative model for other similarly aged coastal sites with evidence of centripetal flake technology. This study utilizes standard lithic analysis and 3D modeling techniques to propose the “Kinggi Reduction Strategy” for early Holocene Haida Gwaii lithics and assesses the similarities and differences of this reduction model to classic Levallois and other techniques from a global perspective.