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Evidence For A Long-Distance Trade In Bois D'Arc Bows In 16th Century Texas (Maclura Pomifera, Moraceae), Leslie L. Bush

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

A piece of wood charcoal identified as bois d’arc (Maclura pomifera) was recovered from the Janee site (41MN33) in Menard County, Texas. The specimen has been directly dated to 400 ± 30 B.P., a period when no naturally-occurring bois d’arc stands are believed to have been present within 400 miles of the site. Bois d’arc ecology, economic uses of bois d’arc wood, and historical accounts of bois d’arc trade indicate the specimen is best interpreted as part of a trade item related to Caddo bow-making traditions in Northeast Texas and adjacent areas of other states.