Hunter College,
Introduction to Archeology
Professor C.M. Tinsley
The Little Bison Basin Valley : A look at its history
This valley, future home of a ski resort and other activities, has a history of its own. It is divided into three major areas: The Poplar Region, The Bud Site, and the Gasville, areas which descend from North to South respectively. It is assumed that climatological conditions are similar to those found in the same area thousands of years ago, with some minor changes in temperature that may have increased due to the Green house effect and global warming.
These three sites were studied separately in the following order :
• Poplar Region o Three regions were excavated ▪ Site A ▪ Site B ▪ Site C • The Bud Site o Two distinct occupation horizons were found and evidence of borderline occupation by habitants between periods o Two levels were studied ▪ Upper Level ▪ Lower Level • The Gasville site o An excavation subdivided into four levels was done and each produced evidence that helped to determine many facts about the past living conditions in the area ▪ Level 1 ▪ Level 2 ▪ Level 3 ▪ Level 4
This paper discusses the evidence found in these areas and concludes with the different aspects of the area based on the facts and evidence.
This valley is composed of high slope mountains and the weather differs at different altitudes. Although four seasons are present, the intensity of each weather condition usually affects the highest altitude mountain ranges more than the lower terraces. The highest mountain is about 2000 meters and vegetation exists at the very top as well.
Changes in weather conditions allow animal migration and this is what the evidence suggests at the moment.