The Collapse of the Classic Lillooet Culture

The 1993 Collapse of the Classic Lillooet Culture has been re-released in a special DVD package that contains two versions of the documentary.

Version One is 22 minutes and features more commentary. The 44 minute version goes in to more visual depth as the commentary is less prevalent. Both versions are available on the new DVD.

The Collapse of the Classic Lillooet Culture is an unusual documentary. It is unusual because it deals with a complex hunter/gatherer/fisher culture of the Northwest Plateau. Over the past 10 years, complex hunter/gatherers have increasingly become the focus of attention in theoretical archaeology. They are important for understanding how hierarchical societies emerged with private property, rich and poor classes, slavery, and many other "advanced" culture traits. However, until the present, no documentary has portrayed these cultures from an archaeological perspective or dealt with these issues. This is the first documentary to do so. It is also one of the few documentaries to deal with prehistoric Canadian cultures or with prehistoric Plateau cultures. (in either the United States or Canada). Finally, this is an unusual documentary because it incorporates the drama of a sudden collapse of a series of prehistoric villages situated in the visually spactacular region of Lillooet, British Columbia.

In addition to these features, The Collapse of the Classic Lillooet Culture provides general viewers and students of all levels, a clear understanding of how archaeologists go about investigating prehistoric cultures. It shows archaeologists excavating, interpreting sediments, analyzing bone, plant, and stone remains; but it also shows how native traditions, subsistence practices, and values are integral to understanding the events and the cultures of the past. A wide range of activities and studies present a panorama of the Lillooet region and its inhabitants. This documentary is visually sumptuous, enjoyable, informative, and theoretically relevant to both general and regional courses on archaeology and anthropology. It is suitable for all levels of university classes as well as for the general public.

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