Nebraska Academy of Sciences

 

Date of this Version

1973

Citation

Published in Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, Volume 2 (1973).

Comments

Copyright 1973 by the author(s).

Abstract

History of Exploration

The Hudson-Meng archaeological site (Nebraska No. 25 SX 115) is located in northwestern Sioux County, Nebraska. It occurs in a drainage from a still-active spring on the property of Mr. Albert Meng. Preliminary excavation was begun in the fall of 1968 by Dr. Larry D. Agenbroad of Chadron State College after the site was brought to his attention by Mr. Bill Hudson, a local amateur archaeologist. Large scale excavation was begun in the spring of 1971 by volunteer students and faculty from Chadron State College.

Description of the Site

When work was halted in the fall of 1971, an area of bone covering 15 by 35 meters had been excavated. The entire bone bed probably encompasses an area four or five times this size. Thus far an area of bone 4 meters by 12 meters has been collected for study. The bones occur in a single layer, suggesting the site was used only once. No butchering pattern is thus far discernible in the distribution of skeletal elements.

Study Methods

The bones were treated with a mixture of white glue and water before removal from the site. They were cleaned with dental tools and treated with Alvar in the laboratory. Olson (1960) was used as a reference for identification of skeletal elements. All identifiable bones were measured and separated as to right and left. The weight of certain elements were determined with a beam balance, while volume measurements were obtained with a large graduated cylinder. All measurements were taken with a vernier caliper accurate to 0.1 millimeter.

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