Late Paleo-Indian Activity At The Lubbock Lake Site

Abstract

Excavations at Lubbock Lake (41 LU1), Southern High Plains of Texas, revealed the presence of a complex, late Paleo-Indian feature containing a camping area and bison (Bison antiquus) kill/butchering locale. The feature is found within a cienega or marsh deposit and dates from 8300 to 8600 years. At least two camping episodes are indicated, separated by the kill/butchering event. Camp debris consists of a projectile point midsection, unifacial and bifacial tools, and flakes. Faunal debris includes remains of butchered pronghorn antelope, rabbits, ducks, grouse, and turtles. The kill/butchering locale contains remains of four bison and three fetuses, a bone expediency tool, a reworked projectile point base, unifacial butchering tools, and flakes. Projectile points, other lithic tools, and age of the feature indicate a Firstview occupation. From faunal and geologic data, site environs are reconstructed as a marshlands rimmed by a narrow border of wet meadows grading into a mixed grass prairie. Although several late Paleo-Indian kill/butchering locales are known on the Southern High Plains, this feature is the first late Paleo-Indian camp.     

the Risley Bison Kill:West-Central Montana

Abstract

The Risley Bison Jump, a large kill site approximately 50 miles west of Great Falls, Montana, was test excavated in 1974. The badly vandalized site was scheduled to be destroyed by land subdivision.Even though the site was badly disturbed, our excavations show that the site was a well-used bison jump with at least four usages evident. Processing and butchering areas were located along the margins of the kill middens. Side-notched projectilepoints recovered from the site suggest that it dates from the latter part of the Late Prehistoric Period.     

Perry Ranch:A Plainview Bison Kill On the Southern Plains

Abstract

Salvage excavations at the Perry Ranch site in southwestern Oklahoma uncovered the association of Plainview projectile points with an extinct subspecies of bison. A radiocarbon date of 7030 ± 190 B.P. has been obtained from bison bone at the site. However, stratigraphic disturbances limit inferences about the cultural activities at the site.     

A Preliminary Report on Two Sites at Piney Creek,Wyoming 48J03Ll and 48J031

Abstract

During the summer of 1964, the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Archaeological Society conducted exploratory excavations in two sites near Buffalo, Wyoming. Site 48J03ll consists of a number of stone circles and is apparently a camp site and site 48J0312 is a bison kill and butchering site. Artifact assemblages suggest an affiliation with late prehistoric and early historic sites in the Yellowstone River drainage.     

Fossil Bison and Artifacts from The Mona Lisa Site,Calgary, Alberta

Abstract

In November, 1968, salvage excavations at the site of an art gallery under construction in urban southwest Calgary, Alberta, Canada, revealed a Paleo-Indian bison kill. The single kill level lay at a depth of more than 250 em. in flood plain deposits of the Bow River, now flowing more than a mile north of the site. The bone bed was overlain by a thick deposit of Mazama Ash (6600 years B.P.). A bone radiocarbon date of 8080 ± 150 years B.P. (G.S.C.-1209) was obtained. Intermittent pedigenesis and fineness of enclosing sediments indicate an overbank flood plain situation for the kill; evidently the site area was repeatedly flooded, probably seasonally, before and after the kill episode. No evidence of a jump-off is present, although this is inconclusive at present. In the 30 square meters excavated at Locality A there was evidence for three activity loci relating to processing of carcasses. The lithic sample includes only crude butchering tools, precluding cultural assignment. Several bone tools, most of them fashioned from tibiae, appear to have been used as expedient and expendable butchering tools at the kill. Some modification of the butchering of lower limbs is noted, apparently to facilitate the production of the bone tools.     

On The Significance of Additional Radiocarbon Dates from Bonfire Shelter,Texas

Abstract

Two hitherto unreported dates from charcoal samples associated with remains attributed to a Paleo-Indian bison kill at this site are provided. These dates further substantiate a minimal antiquity of ca. 10,000 years for the deposit and, by inference, give evidence of the use of a “bison jump” technique of hunting at this early time period. Definitional problems, differing views on the antiquity, basic comparability of cited examples, and temporal continuity of this mode of mass killing are briefly discussed. Some suggestions are made as to the cultural implications made probable by acceptance of an early date for this practice.     

Edwards II: Report of An Excavation In Western Oklahoma

Abstract

Edwards II is located on the North Fork of the Red River in western Oklahoma. It is one of two sites excavated in 1968 by the University of Oklahoma Field School in Archaeology. The major excavation area consisted of 19 contiguous five foot squares. Two test pits were also dug to determine the limits of the site. Nine features were uncovered; all were pits which exhibited a variety of shapes. Ceramic materials and projectile points are similar to Custer and Washita River foci manifestations, but the low proportion of bison bone, and the presence of a few corner notched and stemmed points suggest placement early in the time span represented by these foci.     

Plain Facts

Abstract

The identification of an early lithic horizon in Oklahoma is made and theories concerning its cultural affiliation, site locations, distribution, and artifact typology are described.

The common characteristics of 20 sites in central Oklahoma are listed; site location - on high ground and on tributaries rather than streams; lithic debris found mostly in eroded gullies, quartzite material and core tools predominant on most sites, finished tools found in a minority of sites; Plainview points found at 2 sites and points being generally very rare; and no pottery on any sites.

The culture is equated at the technological 11level11 of the Cochise culture of southern Arizona and New Mexico.     

Early Prehistoric Killing of Bighorn Sheep in the Southeastern Canadian Rockies

Abstract

The remains of three bighorn sheep were excavated from early Holocene pond deposits in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. The sheep show evidence of patterned disarticulation and butchery. The types of bones recovered suggest the presence of some form of communal hunting and meat sharing. Although sheep were present in the Rockies throughout the Holocene, their remains are scarce from Early Prehistoric sites in Canada. It is suggested that the sheep kill dates to 8500 B.P., based upon a radiocarbon date and a projectile point from the same pond deposit.     

Non-Bison Remains from the Vore Bison Jump,Crook County,Wyoming

Abstract

The Vore. Bison Jump is a multi-component Late-Preh1stonc B1son kill site in the Black Hills of Crook County, Wyoming. Examination of the non Bison revealed a large number of carnivores, mainly wolves. Analysis of these wolf remains showed a need for more careful identification of canid remains from archaeological sites in light of incipient domestication of wolves at this site.     

Resting site selection by large herbivores – The case of European bison (Bison bonasus) in Białowieża Primeval Forest

Resting site selection by European bison (Bison bonasus, L., 1758), the largest terrestrial mammal of Europe, was studied in the free-ranging population in Bia?owie?a Primeval Forest (Poland) in 2009–2010. In total, 104 sites of 21 bison (both collared and uncollared) were analysed to determine the most important microhabitat characteristics selected by resting bison during summer and winter and to study the influence of supplementary feeding on resting behaviour of this herbivore. Resting sites were identified on the basis of GPS locations and activity records collected by GPS collars, as well as direct observations of bison, and were compared with control sites. Microhabitat selection by bison did not differ significantly between the sexes. During summer and winter, bison resting sites displayed a high tree density, low visibility and high complexity (structures providing cover). Summer resting sites were also characterised by a significantly lower abundance of blood-sucking insects and denser canopy than control sites. Winter resting sites showed a lower complexity and higher visibility than summer sites, and were less often located in mixed forest habitats. During winter, bison rested more frequently in forest below 50 years of age than in older forest. Resting sites of non-fed bison were more often located in young coniferous forests, were lower in visibility and situated closer to open areas than sites of bison using supplementary winter feeding, suggesting a trade-off between food and cover. The results indicate that European bison select their resting sites in areas of mosaic habitat structure providing cover from disturbances with access to profitable natural forage grounds.     

Comments on the Significance of Stone Circle Excavations in Alberta

Abstract

A number of recently excavated stone circle sites “tipi rings” in Alberta are used to document the continuing necessity for detailed investigations into this site type. The excavations revealed quantities of cultural material, significant information and considerable time depth which are contrary to many previous assumptions.     

DhLB-1: Early Period Occupation Near Glacial Lake Agassiz,Southeast Manitoba

Abstract

Dhlb-1 is a Paleo-Indian site situated just north of the International Boundary in southeastern Manitoba. It was excavated in 1972, and found to be an area of tool manufacturing. It was dated by association with a gravel lens, deposited shortly after the formation of the Campbell strandline, 9,500 to 10,000 years B.P. The site is of significance because it demonstrates early period migration into southeastern Manitoba immediately after Lake Agassiz withdrawal.     

Archaeological Investigations at the Budenbender Site,Tuttle Creek Reservoir,North-Central Kansas, 1957

Abstract

By means of a contract with the National Park Service, and additional support from the University, the Department of Anthropology at the University of Kansas conducted archaeological salvage investigations in the northern part of the Tuttle Creek Reservoir of north-central Kan5as in 1957. Excavations were conducted at five sites, of which the Budenbender site (14P04) proved most productive. The present report describes excavations at Budenbender, the discoveries made, and interprets the data from the excavations in terms of current archaeological interest and taxonomic usages. The single house completely excavated at Sudanbender is identified as a component of the Central Plains tradition, and is placed in the Smoky Hill regional variant of that tradition.     

The Simonsen Site: Report For the Summer Of 1959

Abstract

Isolated surface finds of probable Archaic and Paleo-Indian sites have been made in western Iowa for the past decade. Recently 3 sites have been found in this area, along tributaries of the Missouri River, containing cultural material buried in sediments 13-17 feet below the modern surface. One of these sites, the Simonsen, exposed on a loop of the Little Sioux River, is described.

Bison bones were eroding below the top of an alluvial terrace. This profile is divided into 8 stratigraphic zones, Zones 1 and 2, were 9 feet thick and composed of sterile loam, sand and gravels. Zone 3, contained several disintegrated bison bones, fine ash, burned earth, a fire pit with charred log fragments and a hearth containing a large canid but no artifacts. Zone 4, 1-2 feet thick was composed of sterile interbedded gravels and sand. Zone 5, from a few inches to 2 feet thick contained small flecks of charcoal, and a fragment of a projectile point. Zone 6 was a very stilty sand interbedded with sand silts. Zone 7, 2-3 feet thick was the most profilic source of cultural material but considering the large area exposed, produced few artifacts. These were knives, flakes, 2 anvil stones and 3 points. Zone 8, a gravelly deposit of unknown thickness, underlay the cultural deposits.

A total of 7 bison skulls or partial skulls were collected in addition to abundant remains of other parts of the skeletons. These remains were tentatively assigned to the extinct specie, Bison occidentalis. Measurements of the metapoidals of these specimens agreed in massiveness with those from Scottsbluff and were smaller than specimen from the Brewster and Lipscomb sites which contained bison antiquus and Folsom artifacts.

The 1959 collection from the Simonsen site supports earlier observations of affiliations with the Logan Creek Site of Nebraska and argues for assignment within the late Paleo-Indian to early Archaic horizon.     

The Ashland Bottoms Site (14RY603):

Abstract

The Ashland Bottoms site (14RY603) is a multi-component habitation consisting of a turn of the 20th century American corncrib superimposed upon a Kansas City Hopewell occupation. The ceramics suggest the site is late Kansas City Hopewell dating c. 300-500 A.D. while the artifact assemblage indicate it was a specialized, limited activity site, probably a bison and meat/hide processing base camp. Whether the Kansas City Hopewell population is resident in the Manhattan area or seasonally came into the region from Kansas City cannot be completely ascertained on the present data, but there is a strong possibility these people were permanent residents.     

Ceramics From the Highwalker Site: a Study of Late Prehistoric Period Cultural Systematics on the Northwestern Plains

Abstract

The Highwalker site is a two component prehistoric encampment located in the Pine Parklands region of southeastern Montana. The Late Prehistoric period occupation represents a briefly used, special purpose site occupied by a Native American group primarily engaged in the final butchering of bison and the processing of its by-products. Two radiocarbon samples date the Late Prehistoric period occupation between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1100. Ceramics recovered from this component shed some light on the debate concerning “Crow Pottery” and Late Prehistoric period cultural systematics. The ceramics represent the earliest known representatives of a localized Powder River Basin pottery tradition which appears to be related to Extended Middle Missouri Tradition ceramics. These nomadic Powder River Basin ceramic-using groups maintained contact with the Middle Missouri village farmers and were influenced by their pottery technology. Later when the ethnographically known Crow moved into the area, the Powder River Basin hunting groups either were amalgamated into Crow society or were driven from the area.     

T-W-DIamond,a Stone Ring Site in Northern Colorado

Abstract

The T-W-Diamond Site, 4LR200, is a large teepee ring village on the? edge of the High Plains in northern Colorado. Seventeen out of the 47 remaining stone ring areas were excavated or tested by the Colorado State University Archae-ological Field School in 1971. Artifacts, fire hearths and midden materials were scarce but indicated the domestic nature of the structures. Stone and ceramic artifacts indicate cultural affiliations with the Late Prehistoric period as reported at Birdshead Cave, and the Piney Creek sites in Wyoming; and at the Agate Bluff Rock Shelters, and the Dipper Gap site in northern Colorado. Carbon-14 dates of A. D. 1020±230 years and A.D. 1170±220 years support the time of the occupation. A third date of A.D. 400±340 seems improbably early. It is hypothesized that the village was occupied seasonally for a short time by a small group of people, perhaps of Shoshonean affiliation, exploiting a mixedbase subsistence economy.     

Notes on the White Earth Creek Site (32MN2)

Abstract

The White Earth Creek Site, partially excavated by Thad. C. Hecker in 1938, is important because of its location well north of most other fortified sites in the northern Great Plains. The site is also unusual in that it consists of a fortification without any indication of permanent structures within the ditch and palisade. Data collected by Hecker are discussed in terms of the contribution which they can make to our picture of North Dakota aboriginal life outside the main valley of the Missouri River.     

The Identification of the Fall or Rapid Indians

Abstract

An identification of the “Fall” or “Rapid” Indians of southcentral Saskatchewan as Hidatsa is shown to be unlikely; rather, the Fall Indians of the contact period were Algonkianspeaking bison hunters identified as Atsina.