Over a thousand years ago, bison hunters roamed the Great Plains of North America. Surprisingly, they left some sites even when bison were still plentiful. Research shows that instead of running out of bison, these hunters likely moved due to long periods of drought. They sought out better water sources and hunting spots that suited more organized hunting methods.
Bison hunting thrived for centuries before declining dramatically in the late 1800s due to overhunting. Yet, hunters employed diverse techniques and often switched between different sites. Recent findings from the Bergstrom site in Montana, where hunters operated for around 700 years, reveal intriguing reasons for their eventual abandonment of that location.
According to Dr. John Wendt, a paleoecologist, the hunters at Bergstrom stopped using the site not because bison disappeared, but due to severe droughts that reduced water access. This changed their hunting practices and social structures significantly. Dr. Wendt explains that these shifts reflected broader environmental and economic pressures.
To uncover the reasons behind the site’s decline, researchers excavated various pits and analyzed sediment for pollen and charcoal. They were surprised to find that ecological conditions had not completely changed, but social and organizational dynamics among the hunters did.
Dr. Wendt notes, “The site was abandoned not because it became unsuitable, but due to droughts that made it less appealing to hunter groups.” Instead of small, mobile groups, hunters began forming larger, more coordinated units. This transition required more resources, especially water, as they aimed for larger bison drives and surplus production.
The presence of water and the right geography became crucial for these larger group hunts. As these conditions became scarcer, hunters had to be more selective about where to set up their operations. Thus, some sites saw consistent use over centuries, while others fell out of favor.
What’s fascinating is how these ancient practices echo with today’s challenges in bison management. Researchers suggest that maintaining adaptability is essential for modern hunting and animal management to cope with ongoing climate changes.
Interestingly, they found that the story of Bergstrom may not apply universally to all hunting sites, as other factors could influence why certain locations were abandoned. Although significant, the research doesn’t clarify how often the site was used or if it experienced any low-impact visits post-abandonment.
In a world where climate continues to shift, the lessons from Bergstrom remind us of the importance of flexibility and adaptability—qualities that have remained vital for survival throughout history.
For a deeper dive into this fascinating research, check out the formal study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNVm5xcGpxSUdqRS1hYkNBTlZIeTZycnREeTMyNEtlckh0ZDlZVFJoZXRhYjZ0WHgxcjVpVjFYWjRRc01GcDRMYUFfR3BESWtWcTcxS2syc3ZKUmVhOVpuSkxSSkhsTUZqdkctVFhxdnJMUkVYZWFXdDhZNU9wcWFYSDJMQ04tTGlJOHVJOVJEMmJpXzBaWUU5TW84d29uZ0pIZktPRnlWVQ?oc=5.
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Environment,Climate change,Frontiers in Conservation Science,Featured news,Environment
