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Bison Hides in Late Prehistoric Exchange in the Southern Plains

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Darrell Creel
Darrell Creel*
Affiliation:
Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, Balcones Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-1100
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Abstract

Widespread exchange networks operative in the early historic period in the southern Plains and adjacent areas were documented by early Spanish explorers. Among the more important trade items they noted were bison hides, including robes. It is suggested here that the occurrence of beveled knives and endscrapers in assemblages dating after about A.D. 1300 reflects the importance of bison hides in late prehistoric exchange. Both of these chippedstone tools probably were used in acquiring and processing the hides of bison. The importance of bison hides continued into the historic period when they were documented items of exchange in southern Plains and adjacent areas.

Résumé

Résumé

Una vasta red de intercambio vigente en la temprana época histórica en el Llano sureño y áreas adyacentes, fue documentada por exploradores españoles. Entre los más importantes artículos de intercambio figura la piel de bisonte, inluyendo ropajes. Esto hace pensar que la existencia de cuchillos biselados y raspadores, ambos posteriores a 1300 A.C., refleja la importancia de las pieles de bisonte como medio de intercambio en el período prehistórico tardío. Ambas herramientas de piedra tallada fueron probablemente utilizadas en la obtención y en el procesamiento de la piel de bisonte. La importancia de las pieles de bisonte como medio de intercambio en el Llano sureño y áreas adyacentes continuó en la época histórica, cuando fueron finalmente documentadas.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 40 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1991

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References

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