ABSTRACT
Although both temporal and behavioral usages are found in this volume, this chapter emphasizes the behavioral perspective in order to bring more clarity and understanding to the archaeological investigation of Mesoamerica's earliest inhabitants. For the purpose of characterizing what colonization might look like, Monte Verde in southern Chile and Gault in Texas offer good examples. Most Mesoamerican Clovis points are not truly lanceolate in outline as seen in North America; many are constricted or "waisted" before expanding slightly at the very base. Over time, with the addition of new datasets from future research, archacologists can expect at least some of the current blank spots on the early Mesoamerican map to be filled in, with important details that add examples of regional expressions of early adaptations. Equally important for future study is the transition from established regional patterns into more localized adaptations that mark what are considered Archaic practices.
