Late Pleistocene, Upper Palaeolithic Sleds from eastern North America

Abstract

Here are described two sleds, presumed to date to the time of the Clovis (Llano) archaeological culture or approximately 13,500-12,500 years ago, that were discovered at saline springs in New York state and Kentucky state. For what purpose these sleds may have been intended and why they were abandoned are addressed by referring to eastern Eurasian ethnography. The proboscidean components used in their construction may have restricted use of these sleds to ritual activities.