New Excavations of Late Pleistocene Deposits at Bonfire Shelter: A Geoarchaeological Approach to Determining the Origins of Bone Bed 1 (original) (raw)
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The lithic debitage excavated from pre-Clovis age deposits at the Topper Site were analyzed to determine their authenticity as humanly produced artifacts. All artifacts were analyzed using traditional methods associated with the analysis of lithic debitage. This included mass analysis in addition to individual flake analyses. The goal was to identify characteristics associated with humanly produced tools on artifacts associated with the pre-Clovis aged deposits and compare their distribution with similar artifacts from culturally known deposits. Statistical tests were utilized to determine the relationships between pre-Clovis aged artifacts and those derived from overlying strata in addition to relationship between pre-Clovis aged artifacts and non-cultural material found in association. No significant difference was observed between the physical attributes of the debitage found within strata associated with known prehistoric populations and the lithics found within pre-Clovis aged deposits. Two alternate explanations for these patterns are proposed one which argues for the presence of a legitimate pre-Clovis occupation at the Topper Site and the other citing downward movement and/or fluvial processes to account for the presence of debitage below Clovis strata.
A Further Assessment of Paleoindian Site-Use at Bonfire Shelter
American Antiquity, 2007
In Byerly et al. (2005) we explored the hypothesis that the Paleoindian component at Bonfire Shelter was the result of a jump kill. Our efforts involved extensive mapping and GIS analysis, a re-examination of the Paleoindian-age bison assemblage, and consideration of the geomorphic history of the canyon in which the site is located. We concluded that the preponderance of evidence indicated the Paleoindian-age bison remains at Bonfire Shelter marked a processing site as Binford (1978) suggested, rather than a primary kill locality as originally interpreted (Dibble 1968). Bement (this issue) raises several concerns about our analysis and discussion, including that we omit pertinent information relevant to the interpretation of the site. His comments, however, result from a misreading of our discussion and a misconstrual of the data set, as we explain in this response.
In Byerly et al. (2005) we explored the hypothesis that the Paleoindian component at Bonfire Shelter was the result of a jump kill. Our efforts involved extensive mapping and GIS analysis, a re -examination of the Paleoindian-age bison assemblage, and consideration of the geomorphic history of the canyon in which the site is located. We concluded that the preponderance of evidence indicated the Paleoindian-age bison remains at Bonfire Shelter marked a processing site as Binford (1978) suggested, rather than a primary kill locality as originally interpreted (Dibble 1968). Bement (this issue) raises several concerns about our analysis and discussion, including that we omit pertinent information relevant to the interpretation of the site. His comments, however, result from a misreading of our discussion and a misconstrual of the data set, as we explain in this response.
Bonfire Shelter (41VV218) is a nationally significant site in the Lower Pecos region of the West Texas borderlands that preserves evidence of what may be the oldest and southernmost " bison jump " in North America. At least two major episodes of bison hunting are evident at Bonfire Shelter, one associated with Paleoindian Plainview and Folsom projectile points, and another associated with Late Archaic Castroville and Montell points. The approximately 12,000-year-old layers comprising Bonebed 2 appear to represent a singular example of this hunting technique in these early time periods, and are the subject of recent debate. There is disagreement as to whether one or as many as three hunting events are represented in Bonebed 2, and as to whether or not they truly represent bison jumps. This paper reports the results of renewed field investigations into the timing, context, and cultural associations of both bone beds at Bonfire Shelter carried out by the Ancient Southwest Texas Project at Texas State University. The paper then considers the interpretation of these archaeofaunal deposits as bison jumps, and the implications of those interpretations for Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer social organization in the Lower Pecos and the larger Southern Plains region.
Laboratory of Anthropology note, 1986
Museum of New Mexico Project ; no. 41.314. Townsend, Salt Creek Project New Mexico State Highway Department [sponsoring body] Test excavations revealed three periods of occupation: 490-250 B.C., A.D. 460-820, and A.D. 1200-1400. Fragmentary remains of a large mammal species determined to possibly be Bison. Comparative analysis Test excavations Paleoecology Limited occupation sites Campsites Bison kill sites Animal remains (Archaeology) Faunal analysis Mammals American Bison American bison hunting Mollusks Freshwater mussels Cyrtonaias tampicoensis Lithic analysis Debitage analysis Flaked stone artifacts Ground stone artifacts Manos and metates Projectile points Scallorn projectile points Pottery analysis Pottery production Brown ware pottery Red ware pottery White ware pottery Chupadero Black-on-white pottery Corona Corrugated pottery El Paso Brown ware pottery El Paso Polychrome pottery Jornada Brown ware pottery McKenzie Brown ware pottery Middle Pecos Micaceous Brown pottery Rio Grande Glaze A pottery South Pecos Brown ware pottery Three Rivers Red-on-terracotta pottery Tularosa Black-on-white pottery Plant remains (Archaeology) Hearths Human remains (Archaeology) Dental anthropology Radiocarbon dating Archaic period 500 BC-200 AD AD 500-700 AD 1150-1300 Chaves County (N.M.) Salt Creek (N.M.) Townsend Site (N.M.) Garnsey Bison Kill Site (N.M.) LA 34150 LA 18399
During the spring of 2003, a program of archaeological field research was completed at Lemitar Shelter (LA18139). This rockshelter site is on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in Socorro County, New Mexico, which is managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The 2003 Lemitar Shelter project sought to investigate the lowest levels of the site, in order to 1) characterize the geological deposits found in levels below those excavated during earlier archaeological efforts (1952, 1953, 1972, 2001); and 2) test the potential for the presence of Late Pleistocene – Early Holocene cultural deposits. While more recent cultural deposits (eg. Late Archaic, Middle Archaic) were encountered, fully documented and appropriately curated, the main thrust of the project was to recover either temporally diagnostic artifacts (i.e. projectile points or point fragments) and/or dateable charcoal samples deposited during occupations of the site between 8,000 years before present (BP) and 11,500 years BP.
Laboratory of Anthropology note, 1983
Museum of New Mexico Project ; no. 41.323 (71.14) ; 4171014. Caballo Project See also: Caballo Highway Salvage Project (Laboratory of Anthropology note ; no. 35) authored by Kenneth H. Honea. Preliminary archeological investigations were conducted a t LA 39184, an Archaic campsite, in order to evaluate its significance and eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The site, endmgered by the expansion of 8 New Mexico State Highway Department surfacing pit operation, is considered potentially significant because of data relevant to methodological and cultural-historical problems. Recovery of additional scientific and cultural data from LA 39184 is recornmended. .Submitted in fulfillment of Memorandum of Agreement DO2006 between the New Mexico State Highway Department and the Museum of New Mexico, Laboratory of Anthropology, Research Section. // Testing of LA 39184, an Archaic campsite composed of discrete concentrations of lithic artifacts presumably from hearth areas. Preliminary archaeological investigations were conducted at LA 39184, an Archaic campsite, in order to evaluate its significance and eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Recovery of additional scientific and cultural data from LA 39184 is recommended. Test excavations Limited occupation sites Campsites Lithic analysis Chipped stone artifacts Ground stone artifacts Charcoal-stained sediments Fire-cracked rock Mogollon Indians Archaic period San Pedro phase 1500-200 BC Sierra County (N.M.) Caballo Dam Site (N.M.) LA 6881 LA 39184