Ancient Hunters Of the Great Plains - Essay Example

Similarly, the changes resulted into extinction of most of the megafauna’s of North America. Therefore, it is inherent that extinction is a natural evolutionary development. The change in climate implied that the culture of Indian people rather than the ancient hunters of the Great Plains had to change in order for them to cope with the new environment. The most notable cultural adaptation included the Folsom cultural complex. Folsom archaeological site in New Mexico formed the basis of Folsom cultural complex.

The evidence is based on a spear that was entrenched in an ancient bison had been excavated. Geographical distribution of Folsom culture was identified to spread eastward from Rocky Mountains across the vast of Great Plains (Wood 51). In addition, the culture spread from North Dakota to Mexico. Bison hunting formed the basis of Folsom people lifestyle. Socially, the ancient hunters of the Great Plains inhabited small bands that comprised of at least twenty members. Interaction between these people involved socialization and trade.

Nevertheless, it is notable that they lived a nomadic lifestyle since they travelled areas that provided them with opportunities for hunting. Inhabitation of the Great Plains with bisons during the Ice age was attributable to their survival characteristics. Bisons had adapted to short grass that had dominated the region during the postglacial times. . The Agate Basin in Eastern Wyoming is one of the bison-killing sites that I was interested in due to its aesthetical nature. Apart from bison killing, the site shows some form of planning.

Natural topographical features such as Arroyos formed the basis of Buffalo trapping. The terrain enabled the hunters to trap large numbers of animals. In addition, it provided the hunters with an opportunity to involve few people in the exercise, based on the archaeological remains, the hunters speared some of their prays that tried to escape from the traps rather than the Arroyo while some were held till they delivered in order to ensure good supply of meat. Since hunting was practiced during winter, only chosen parts of the animals were taken while the rest was frozen until the onset of warm weather.

Butchering of the beast was done at the kill sites where the meat was cut into large pieces for transportation. Weight reduction involved removal of the femur and the tibia. The Folsom people are referred to as successful hunters because of their great knowledge in their environment and bisons (Wood 123). According to archaeologists, introduction of horses as a form of material culture in North America by the Spaniards had remarkable influence on the plains Indians. In regards to Bison hunting, horses expanded the hunters range and increased the hunters’ carrying capacity.

As a result, more bisons were slaughtered every year. Apart from its influence on hunting, other aspects of life were affected where by instability and imbalance emerged in the society. Since it violated the cultural values of the ancient Great Plain hunters, concern for the common welfare emerged.