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31 Olson 1978; Benedict 1979; Kehoe 1981). The general hunting and gathering lifeway that evolved during the Early Archaic period persisted with only minor alterations throughout the Middle and Late Archaic periods. Cultural variation during this stage is indicated by changes in projectile point morphology and by increased exploitation and settlement of plains regions during the milder climatic episodes that followed the Altithermal. Sites or site components attributed to the Middle Archaic period (5,000-3,000 years B.P.) are well documented in eastern Colorado, particularly along the North and South Platte drainages. A generalized hunting and gathering lifeway continued in eastern Colorado during the Late Archaic Period (3,000-2000 years B.P.). Summarizing the work of several researchers, Eighmy i1989:62-63) notes that Late Archaic camp sites in eastern Colorado tend to cluster on stream terraces, while relatively briefly occupied lithic scatters are found more often on ridge tops. 2.2.3 Ceramic Stage The termination of the Archaic Stage in Eastern Colorado is indicated by the occurrence of three roughly contemporaneous events in the archaeological record: the introduction of ceramic technology, the replacement of the spear thrower with the bow, and the advent of horticulture. Both ceramic technology and horticultural practices are believed to represent extremely attenuated manifestations of the Eastern Woodlands culture, or at least a diffusion of traits from that region (Cassels 1983:158- 160). Cord-impressed vessels with conical bases are typical of early ceramic artifacts in eastern Colorado. Although the Early Ceramic period is contemporaneous with the rise of a relatively sedentary, horticultural lifeway in some adjacent areas, there is scant evidence of plant domestication during this time in eastern Colorado and none from the project area proper. Although the practice of horticulture in