Bison Exploitation by Late Fort Ancient Peoples in the Central Ohio River Valley

Abstract

Recent radiocarbon dating demonstrates that Bison bison was present in the central Ohio River Valley between AD 1450 and 1800. The association of this species with cultural material suggests that bison were exploited as a source of food and raw material by Fort Ancient peoples of the Madisonville phase. Bison sought access to the salt and sulphur spings at Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, making this an important locale for bison exploitation.