Modeling a Horticultural Complex In South-Central Manitoba During the Late Prehistoric Period: the Vickers Focus

Abstract

Contrary to accepted belief, recent work has shown that horticulture was an aspect of prehistoric subsistence strategy in southern Manitoba. Examination of soil and climatic parameters of the area indicates that prehistoric Aboriginal cultigens could have been grown successfully. A review of early archaeological investigations in the area, coupled with recent excavations, clearly demonstrates one or more horticultural complexes to have been extant in the region during the Late Prehistoric times. Examination of the data indicates that the occurrence of these sites can be related to environmental parameters and that their culture antecedents can be identified together with probable social configurations.