Dismantling the Fisher-Huber Evolutionary Continuum

The evaluation of the taxonomic, chronological, and cultural historical relationships of the Upper Mississippian Huber and Fisher groups in the Chicago region has been ongoing since their identification in the early 1930s. With Charles Faulkner's 1972 research, it became widely accepted, based almost entirely on ceramic evidence, that the two phases represent an evolutionary continuum with Fisher transitioning to Huber in the 15th century. For the last four decades, archaeologists have had little cause to question this assessment. However, recent large-scale investigations at the multi-component Hoxie Farm site and the reanalysis of a number of older Fisher and Huber phase collections have provided new insights into the Fisher-Hu-ber relationship. Based on these analyses we suggest that the Fisher and Huber phases more likely represent two entirely separate cultural groups with Fisher phase peoples clearly having ties to the east, while Huber may represent northwestern Oneota expansions into the area.