A Late Archaic bison processing event in the Texas panhandle

Block excavations total 115 m(2) at a I m-deep buried occupation surface at the Sanders site, where a single bison processing event probably occurred in March, about 1700-1800 BP. The Late Archaic material assemblage consiste d of 25,000 pieces of bone splinters, chipped stone hunting and processing tools, a set of unique bone gaming pieces, and a single cord-marked body sh erd. The sherd indicates contact with Woodland peoples and documents contem poraneity of these groups. The hunters had acquired quantities of Alibates agatized dolomite before undertaking the communal bison kill event. Intensi ve bison processing, tool maintenance, maintenance of primary activity area s, and the existence of leisure activities reflected by the set of incised and painted bone gaming pieces together support interpretation of the site as a lengthy encampment. Excellent context and preservation conditions perm it identification of refuse discard patterns in specific and general debris piles away from primary activity areas. Environmental data indicate a shor t grass Plains environment.