Bell, MeaganNewly documented lithic data resulting from reconnaissance-level cultural resource management surveys recently conducted in Erie and Huron Counties, Ohio raised questions regarding northwestern Ohio’s existing model of Early Archaic chert preferences and lithic supply zones. An initial examination of the artifact assemblages revealed a scarcity of non-local Upper Mercer chert which opposed the current premise on Early Archaic chert utilization and population movements in Ohio. This study attempts to understand the implications of the scarcity of Upper Mercer chert in these northwestern Ohio Early Archaic artifact assemblages by synthesizing regional data and conducting Least Cost Path analyses with Geographic Information System software.enThesisArchaeologyCultural resources managementGeographic information science and geodesyEarly ArchaicLeast Cost Path AnalysisLithic Supply ZonesNorthwestern OhioPipe Creek ChertUpper Mercer Chert