1. Direct Association:
* Folsom Points Found with Bison Bones: The most compelling evidence comes from the discovery of Folsom points (a specific type of projectile point) directly embedded in the bones of extinct giant bison (Bison antiquus). This direct association proves that the hunters who used those points were indeed hunting the giant bison.
* Excavations at Folsom Sites: Sites like the Folsom site in New Mexico have yielded numerous Folsom points alongside bison bones. The context of these finds, with the points directly associated with the bones, firmly establishes the temporal relationship.
2. Stratigraphy:
* Layered Deposits: Archaeological sites often have layers of sediment that accumulate over time. By examining the stratigraphic layers, archaeologists can determine the relative ages of different artifacts and fossils. Folsom points are consistently found in layers that contain giant bison remains, indicating that they lived at the same time.
3. Radiocarbon Dating:
* Dating Both Fossils and Artifacts: Radiocarbon dating provides a numerical age for organic materials like bone and wood. By dating both the bison bones and the Folsom points found at the same site, archaeologists can confirm that they date to the same period, further strengthening the argument for their contemporaneity.
4. Paleontological Evidence:
* Giant Bison Distribution: The geographic distribution of giant bison fossils aligns with the areas where Folsom sites are found, indicating that the hunters were likely targeting these large animals.
5. Comparative Analysis:
* Similar Tool Use: The Folsom points are specifically designed for hunting large game, and their presence alongside giant bison bones supports the idea that these hunters relied heavily on these animals for sustenance.
These combined lines of evidence have led archaeologists to a definitive conclusion: Folsom hunters and giant bison were contemporaries, living and interacting in North America during the Late Pleistocene, roughly 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.