Ancient Bison
Bison antiquus
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Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Pecora
Bovidae
Bison
Bison antiquus
The Ancient Plains Giant, Bison antiquus, was the dominant large grazer of North America during the Late Pleistocene, roaming vast grasslands from Alaska to central Mexico. This ancestor of the modern American bison was a primary food source for early Paleoindian hunters, including the Clovis and Folsom cultures.
Description
Bison antiquus, commonly known as the Ancient Bison, was a prominent herbivore in North America during the late Pleistocene epoch. This species was notably larger than the modern American bison (Bison bison), with individuals standing about 15-25% taller and possessing more robust bones and larger horns. The horns of B. antiquus spanned nearly 1 meter (3 feet) from tip to tip, a distinguishing feature compared to contemporary bison. Fossil evidence suggests that B. antiquus formed large herds, similar to their modern descendants, indicating complex social structures and migratory behaviors.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
1588
0.5
0.75
3.7
kg
m
m
m
Mixed Feeder
Herbivores – Grazers
Hunt History
Early North American humans, such as the Clovis (13,000 years ago) and Folsom (12,000 years ago) cultures, hunted Bison antiquus extensively for meat, hides, bones, and sinew. Hunting was conducted using sophisticated stone-tipped spears (projectile points) and coordinated “buffalo jumps,” in which herds were driven over cliffs to ensure successful kills. These communal hunts provided sustenance for entire groups and became a foundation for Paleoindian subsistence strategies.
Archaeological Evidence of Human Predation:
Folsom Site (New Mexico, USA) — Discovered in 1908, it contains the remains of at least 32 Bison antiquus individuals with Folsom projectile points embedded in the bones, offering definitive proof of human hunting.
Cooper Site (Oklahoma, USA) — Features a bison skull painted with red ochre, interpreted as an early example of hunting-related ritual behavior.
Lindenmeier Site (Colorado, USA) — One of the largest Folsom-era campsites, containing butchered Bison antiquus remains alongside stone tools and hunting implements.
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Globally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
10000
BP
Late Pleistocene
North America
Wiki Link
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Medium–High (hump/back & visceral depots; seasonal)
Fat %
6
Est. Renderable Fat
95.3
kg
Targeted Organs
marrow, hump/back fat, mesenteric fat
Adipose Depots
Hump/backfat, mesenteric, perirenal; marrow
Preferred Cuts
marrow; hump/back fat
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
4