A comparison of Tchefuncte traits suggests that there are three groupings or foci which at present comprise the Tchefuncte culture. The Copell site on Pecan Island, although a single site, represents the first group. The absence of pottery, presence of artifacts with burials, interment in a cemetery, and other traits tend to isolate this component from other Tchefuncte groupings.

The three shell midden sites, Tchefuncte, Little Woods, and Big Oak Island form another grouping. The construction and use of shell middens, presence of certain types of bone and shell artifacts, and styles of chipped flint projectile points differentiate these midden sites from the others.

The third grouping is represented by the two mound sites, Lafayette and Lake Louis. The traits of circular mounds, differences in the styles of projectile points, and absence of other Tchefuncte traits delimit this focus.

A number of traits held in common, or traits which overlap from one component or site to another, link all of these groupings together to form the Tchefuncte culture. For instance, burial traits and styles of bone implements link the Copell site with the midden sites of the Tchefuncte period. The midden sites and the mound sites are bound together by common types of pottery and pipes. For the reader who disagrees with our interpretations, or who has a better method, we have listed all of our traits in the summaries of each component (Chapter II).