Location: Guymon, Oklahoma, United States

Season Dates: June 3, 2013 - July 1, 2013
Application Deadline: March 11, 2013

Program Type
Field school

Affiliation: Oklahoma Archeological Survey, University of Oklahoma

Project Director: Leland Bement, Oklahoma Archeological Survey

Project Description

This summer we will continue excavating the late Paleoindian age Ravenscroft bison kill site in the Oklahoma panhandle. At Ravenscroft we will uncover a bone bed in a newly discovered arroyo near the previously excavated arroyo kill. We hope to find projectile points to identify the culture responible for the kill. Students will have the opportunity to uncover a 9000 year old bison bonebed. The bison are Bison antiquus, making them 20 percent larger than modern bison. We hope to identify the site extent and hope to uncover additional bones and cultural material. In addition to learning how to excavate bison bone, students will learn standard excavation techniques, soils and stratigraphy, and other archaeological procedures. Field trips to nearby archaeological sites will provide comparative fodder for discussions. 

At the moment we have set the dates for this project to begin June 3, 2013 and end July 1, 2013. However, these dates are subject to change as summer gets closer. Please email for latest schedule and additional information.

Period(s) of Occupation: Late Paleoindian, Plainview

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements

Live in tents at nearby ranch. Water and cook house provided.

Cost: $250 for entire month

Academic Credit
Name of institution offering credit: University of Oklahoma
Number of credits offered: 1 to 6
Tuition: To be determined

Contact Information
Leland Bement
Oklahoma Archeological Survey, 111 E. Chesapeake, Rm 102
Norman, Oklahoma 73129
USA
Lbement@ou.edu
Phone: 405-325-7215
Fax: 405-325-7604

Recommended Bibliography

Bement, Leland C. 1999 Bison Hunting at Cooper Site, Where Lightning Bolts Drew Thundering Herds. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.