Fauna from the Hulme Site and Comments on Central Plains Tradition. Subsistence Variability

Abstract

The Hulme site is a Central Plains tradition (Upper Republican phase) homestead on the upland divide between the Platte and Loup River basins in Central Nebraska. The identified vertebrate sample varies from those recovered at similar sites in that it contains a high proportion ofpronghom antelope and deer with only a small fraction assigned to bison. The balance is a diverse collection offish, reptile, bird, and small mammal remains. The sample may represent one solution to dryer conditions of the Pacific climatic episode. Evidently poorer forage resulted in reduction or displacement of locally avail able bison herds and an increase in pronghom in some portions of central Nebraska. Hulme residents positioned themselves in a topographic setting amenable to procurement of upland pronghom herds as well as stream terrace deer and other fauna. The abundance of scapula digging tools with little other bison remains, indicates residents were hunting bison but at a great distance from the site, or that they were acquiring scapulae via trade. Consideration of Hulme with contemporaneous faunas suggests the meat portion of the Central Plains tradition diet was quite diverse and variable.