Shadows on the Trail Site - 1.3 inch long Paleo End Scraper (PES) or spurred end scraper found on 9/26/14. It was made from Flat Top Chalcedony. This one is spurred on both sides, but the right hand side spur is more dominant. Legendary University of Wyoming archaeologist George Frison (1991) stated that an occasional spurred scraper (PES) appears in post Paleoindian site components but in general, the true spurred end scraper seems to largely disappear from tool assemblages of the post Paleoindian period. Frison (1974) earlier stated, The finding of one PES is a strong indicator of Paleoindians. The finding of more than one just about guarantees their presence. On the other hand, the absence of the PES does not eliminate their presence. I say this because the literature on some Paleoindian kill sites indicates few or none of these artifacts are present in the bonebeds. As far as this site is concerned, I did not need PES to indicate the presence of Paleoindians. I have found many diagnostic Paleoindian artifacts on the site, confirming Dr. Frisons position, at least at this site.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:18:11 +0000