Stratigraphy and Bonebed Taphonomy at Blackwater Draw Locality No. 1 during the Middle Holocene (Altithermal)

Bibliographic Data

ID20964980
AuthorsJohn D Seebach (Southern Methodist University, corresponding author)
Year2002
Volume47
Issue183
Pages339-358
Publication date2002-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePlains Anthropologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-0447 • E-ISSN: 2052-546X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/2052546.2002.11949253
OpenAlexW2521013090
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited13

Salvage excavations at Blackwater Draw Locality No. I (LA 3224) during 1956 recovered a small assemblage of bison remains and a few lithic artifacts from Archaic-age levels at the site. The assemblage was originally reported to be the remains of an Archaic kill/processing event. Reanalysis of the faunal remains and consideration of the taphonomic factors affecting the structure of the assemblage casts the reportedly cultural origin of the bone bed into doubt. Bone density and weathering patterns, the geomorphic history of the strata in which the remains were found and radiocarbon assays suggest the remains were not found in primary context. The strata in which the bones were encased were continually reworked during the Early to Middle Holocene. Eolian deflation (the primary taphonomic agent affecting the assemblage) during the Middle Holocene on the southern Plains was oftentimes severe at the site level, and can be attributed to the overarching climatic regime of the Altithermala

Archaeology · Assemblage (archaeology) · Blackwater · Context (archaeology) · Geography · Holocene · Radiocarbon dating · Taphonomy · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Geology · Marine and environmental studies · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Stratigraphy

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