Characterizing a first occurrence of bison deposits in southeastern Nevada

Authors

William Gray Johnson, Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada
Saxon E. Sharpe, Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada
Thomas F. Bullard, Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada
Karen Lupo, Washington State University, Pullman

Abstract

Late Holocene bison bones eroding from the badlands topography of Cathedral Gorge State Park in southeastern Nevada have been identified as the remains of Bison and date between approximately 400 and 850 years old. The bones were originally thought to be turn-of-the-century cattle and then early bison, so park personnel had need to solve this interpretive problem. A multidisciplinary team sought information on archaeology, geomorphology, paleontology, and paleoenvironment to document the 1st established occurrence of bison in this part of Nevada and to develop a hypothesis explaining their demise.

Recommended Citation

Johnson, William Gray; Sharpe, Saxon E.; Bullard, Thomas F.; and Lupo, Karen (2005) "Characterizing a first occurrence of bison deposits in southeastern Nevada," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 65: No. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol65/iss1/3