Taphonomic Analysis of a Faunal Assemblage Recovered from a Multi-occupation Locality in Mustang Draw, Southern High Plains of Texas
Author(s): Lila Jones
Year: 2025
Summary
This is an abstract from the "SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.
<html>
Whiskey Flats (41MD50), located in Midland County, Texas, was situated around Mustang Pond in Mustang Draw. Two separate bone concentrations (Area 1 and Area 2) were recovered within a ~40m distance of each other. Area 1, a now dry pond, consisted of a modern bison and modern horse bonebed radiocarbon dated to ~A.D. 1750. Area 2, a terrace north of the pond, also yielded bison and horse bone along with cultural objects. The collection, nevertheless, primarily consisted of a vertebrate assemblage. Taxonomic assessment and taphonomic analysis used to interpret the paleoecological conditions at the time of deposition indicated differential modifications in each Area reflecting varying environments despite proximity. Area 1 was identified as a lacustrine deposit and Area 2 represented a drier environment with further evidence of weathering. Historic objects aided in dating the Area 2 occupations within the 18<sup>th</sup>-19<sup>th</sup> centuries. Cultural objects and historic records allowed for determining the occupants of the site. In general, the analysis provided a greater understanding of the people, landscape, and fauna of the Southern High Plains from the past three centuries.
</html>
Cite this Record
Taphonomic Analysis of a Faunal Assemblage Recovered from a Multi-occupation Locality in Mustang Draw, Southern High Plains of Texas. Lila Jones. Presented at The 90th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. 2025 ( tDAR id: 511030)
This Resource is Part of the Following Collections
Keywords
Record Identifiers
Abstract Id(s): 53339