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Buttermilk creek is a popular paleolithic complex. Near a source of reliable water and high-quality chert. it is one of the most significant early American archaeological places. Important sites for studying early human presence in north America. The Friedkin and Gault site(s), provide evidence of some of the earliest known human activity on the continent. And, it challenges previous timelines of when humans first arrived in the western hemisphere.

The Debra L. Friedkin Site is part of the Buttermilk Creek Complex. It gained international attention in 2011 when archaeologists published findings that pushed back evidence of human occupation to around 15,500 years
When the tools were found, its believed they found the oldest stone floor on the continent. The site contains layers of stratified sediment with a clear progression of artifacts. Including blade technology, scrapers, and projectile points. That predate Clovis points. It suggests an earlier migration of humans, possibly along the east coast. Or, through an ice-free corridor, and paddeling/travelling along bodies of water.

Located nearby, is the Gault site. It has a rich history of human occupation and is another critical archaeological site for understanding early American history. It contains evidence of Clovis culture, as well as human activity before and after. With artifacts dating perhaps more than 16,000 years. Archaeologists found tools, spear points, and other artifacts here. It indicates that the site was likely a quarry and manufacturing area. Where early humans would have crafted tools from locally available chert, a type of sedimentary rock.

The area had a good climate, abundance of food resources, and a year-round water source. More importantly, the area was a source of very high quality Edward’s Chert stone. It has provided researchers with insights into clovis technology, as well as clues about earlier inhabitants and their tool-making techniques. Tens of thousands have been found.

Both sites and the area are notable for the quality and quantity of stone and artifacts. Including there use across many generations
Tours continue today.

The Buttermilk creek complex is instrumental in changing our understanding of early human history in the western hemisphere. It suggests our we inhabited north America earlier. These discoveries add evidence that early humans were more diverse and widespread. Contributing to a more realistic picture of migration and settlement in the Americas.

Bibliography: Waters, Michael R.; Keene, Joshua L.; Forman, Steven L.; Prewitt, Elton R.; Carlson, David L.; Wiederhold, James E. (2018). “Pre-Clovis projectile points at the Debra L. Friedkin site, Texas—Implications for the Late Pleistocene peopling of the Americas” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6200361). Science Advances. 4 (10): eaat4505. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aat4505 (https://doi.org/10.1126%2Fsciadv.aat4505). ISSN 2375-2548 (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2375-2548).
PMC 6200361 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6200361). PMID 30397643 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30397643).

“Oldest weapons ever discovered in North America pre-date Clovis” (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181024145552.htm). ScienceDaily.