Steven R. Holen

Source determination of White River Group silicates from two archaeological sites in the Great Plains

There are three known source area for WRGS (White River Group Silicates) : Flattopp Butte in northeastern Colorado, Table Mountain in east-central Wyoming, and the White River Badlands of South Dakota. The sources of WRGS in two Central Plains archaeological sites were determined using neutron-activation-analysis method. The results show that the technique has important implications for studies of prehistoric mobility and for the refinement of cultural-historical affiliation

Neutron activation analysis of stone from the Chadron Formation and a Clovis Site on the Great Plains

Abstract Cryptocrystalline silicates from the Chadron Formation were widely used by prehistoric human groups in the Great Plains of North America. There are two documented quarry areas: Flattop Butte in Colorado and the White River Badlands of South Dakota. Cryptocrystalline silicates from these sources are visually indistinguishable, making it difficult to determine the sources of artefacts found at archaeological sites. In this investigation, neutron activation analysis is used to distinguish the two sources. This technique also identifies lithic material from the Clovis-age Eckles site in Kansas as being from Flattop Butte.

Additional comments on neutron activation analysis of stonefrom the great plains: Reply to church

Criticisms levelled by Tim Church on a previously published paper (Hoard et al., Neutron activation analysis of stone from the Chadron Formation and a Clovis Site on the Great Plains, Journal of Archaeological Science 19, 655–665, 1992) are addressed. We maintain that the methods and conclusions of our previous paper are sound. Our ongoing research is refining our methodology and continuing to produce significant archaeological interpretations.

The angus mammoth: A decades-old scientific controversy resolved

The Angus Mammoth site in south-central Nebraska has been controversial since its discovery in 1931 when a fluted artifact was reported to be associated with the mammoth. For nearly 80 years it has not been known if Angus was a paleontological site predating the human occupation of North America as has been asserted by some geologists and paleontologists, or an archaeological site dating to the late Pleistocene as has been advocated by some archaeologists. Geomorphic study and luminescence dating have finally solved the problem after nearly eight decades. Although microwear and technological analyses have determined that the Angus biface is an authentic artifact, TL and IRSL dates have shown that the matrix above the mammoth is much too old for a mammoth/fluted point association to be valid.