Bison Processing at the Rush Site, 41TG346, and Evidence for Pemmican Production in the Southern Plains

Abstract

A discrete, 375-year-old, late fall bison processing event of the Toyah phase in west central Texas yielded quantities of cultural materials, includingfragmented bison bones. The estimated number of bison procured, ca.50 animals, plus the association of at least three point types (Perdiz, Garza, and Harrell) and two ceramic styles imply a communal bison procurement event of a type not previously recognized on the Southern Plains. This single occupation produced a stone tool assemblage and bone breakage pattern emphasizing smashing of large limb elements for marrow and grease extraction. The intensively burned hearths, thousands of bone fragments less than 3 em long, and presence of ceramic vessels reflect the production oflarge quantities ofbone grease. Projected volumes of meat imply pemmican production. Comparison with other excavated and reported sites in Texas indicates this bone processing technique and pemmican production is restricted in time and space.