Bison Hunting Strategies and Hunting tools used in the Folsom period

Bison Antiquis Bison Antiquis was similar to modern bison except that they were larger and had longer horns. Males had horn spreads reaching two meters, and they stood as much as 40 percent taller than today’s bison 70/bce170_natural_history.htmlhttp:// 70/bce170_natural_history.html opology/manarchnet/chronology/paleoindian /folsom.htmlhttp:// opology/manarchnet/chronology/paleoindian /folsom.html

Where were they found Bison Antiquis thrived in very dry and warm grasslands that appeared 11,000 to 9,000 bp. after the glaciers receded north into Canada. anthropology/manarchnet/chronology/ paleoindian/folsom.htmlhttp:// anthropology/manarchnet/chronology/ paleoindian/folsom.html

Weaponry Used. Atlatls and spears were the most common way to hunt large mammals. Scrapers were used to butcher the animal and cut meat.

Atlatl technology a hooked stick that is used to throw a dart. The atlatl acted as an extension of the forearm, allowing the dart to be thrown much faster than by hand alone. The flexible shaft and atlatl weights helped bend the shaft during throwing which added an elastic element to the propulsion y.html#rhttp:// y.html#r

Projectile Points Folsom projectile points tend to be smaller, more delicate, and more refined in workmanship than Clovis points. They were either completely fluted or were basally thinned. Basally thinned projectile point has flakes removed from both sides near the base. This makes the base thinner and easier to hat onto a spear.

Folsom Projectile Points

Hafting the method used to attach projectile points to their wooden shafts. Animal sinew was a common material #rhttp:// #r

Scrapers These were used to butcher the carcasses of bison. They were either made from flint or obsidian depending on location.

Hunting Strategies Hunters stampeded herds of buffalo over cliffs and would gather the remains at the bottom. Attacking herds of bison by rivers and killing the young calfs was also very effective.

Bonfire Shelter When threatened or frightened, a bison herd can stampede, forming a thundering mass of panicking animals that moves as a single body. Hunters used this to their advantage by stampeding herds of bison off a cliff. There, one group of hunters had to trigger a stampede, perhaps by using fire. Additional hunters (including their family members, women and children alike) would have erected brush or rock barricades, used fires, or waved blankets to divert the bison away from alternative routes and toward the cliff edge. If everything worked just right, the stampeding herd would follow the desired path and gallop over the rise and suddenly encounter the cliff. fire/index.htmlhttp:// fire/index.html

Ambushing Bison herds at rivers Hunters would set up ambushes at rivers and creeks where bison were known to cross. The hunters positioned themselves at strategic locations in order to kill the animals as they emerged from the water and became mired in the mud.

How the Carcass is Used MUSCLES glue preparation - bows - thread - arrow ties - cinches TENDONS sinew for sewing – bowstrings HORNS arrow points - cups - fire carrier - powderhorn - spoons - ladles - headdresses - toys - medicationHAIR headdresses - pad fillers pillows - ropes - ornaments hair pieces - halters - bracelets - medicine balls moccasin lining - doll stuffing - moccasin tops BLOOD soups - puddings - paints STOMACH LINER water containers - cooking vessels TEETH ornamentation INTESTINES meat wrappings - buckets - collapsible cups - basins – canteen BONES-fleshing tools - pipes - knives - arrowheads - shovels - splints - sleds - saddle trees - war clubs - scrapers - quirts - awls - paintbrushes - game dice - tableware - toys GALL BLADDER-yellow paints - pouches - medicine bags TONGUE-choice meat SCROTUM-rattles - containers HOOVES, FEET, DEWCLAWS-glue - rattles - spoons CHIPS-fuel - diaper powder FAT-tallow - soaps - hair grease - cosmetic aids RAWHIDE-containers - shields - buckets - moccasin soles - drums - splints - ropes - sheaths - saddles - saddle blankets - stirrups - masks - parfleches - ornaments - lariats - straps - caps - snowshoes - shrouds – quirts

Sources /paleoindian/folsom.htmlhttp:// /paleoindian/folsom.html