7,800 to 2,000 years ago: Middle Plains Period

In the first half of the Middle Plains Period, drought-like conditions resulted in a temporary expansion of the grasslands.

The atlatl (a system that enabled hunters to shoot spears and darts with greater force and thrust) was invented, greatly improving hunting efficiency.

People roamed the prairies in small family bands and bison evolved to their present state. Evidence of human occupation in the Qu’Appelle Valley during this time can be found at the Katepwa Beach site, which dates to about 4,780 years ago.

From left to right. . . .
Oxbow point (5,000–4,500 yrs ago)
McKean point (4,200–3,500 yrs ago)
Duncan point (3,500–3,000 yrs ago)
Hanna point (3,500–3,000 yrs ago)
Pelican Lake point (3,000–2,000 yrs ago)
Point collection courtesy of The University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Anthropology and Archaeology