Main cultural periods for coast and interior of British Columbia are identified. Cultural traits for each period are as follows. The Lithic Stage is characterized by technological industries based on flaked stone tools. Pebble tool and microblade industries are also found. During this stage, salmon fishing makes its first appearance on the south coast.
The Developmental Stage is marked by the appearance of shell middens as well as ground stone, heavy woodworking and complex fishing technologies. There is also evidence for the bow and arrow and art work during this stage. Continuity can be demonstrated between the cultures of this stage and those of the historic period.
The interior of British Columbia is occupied by big-game hunters during the Early Period. A variety of stemmed points for dispatching game such as bison are in use at this time.
During the Middle Period, microblade technologies and the first salmon fishing on the Plateau occur.
The Late Period in the interior is characterized by the development of two distinct lifestyles that can be related to those of the Interior Salish and the Athapaskans of the historic period. In the area later occupied by the Interior Salish, pit-house dwellings are present as well as intensified plant food collecting. In the regions later inhabited by Athapaskans, subsistence is based on intensified fishing. Throughout the interior in the Late Period, art work and evidence for the bow and arrow are found.
