Odd bones from the Brazos

[Lower Brazos Riverwatch]

These are a couple of odd bones from the Brazos River between SH 159 and FM 529.  They appear to be the same thing, other than size, and they appear to be from opposite sides of the animal.  The smaller one is 11.5 cm long and is pretty much intact.  The larger one is 25 cm and is broken at the tip and the rounded lobe end.  It probably would have been 30 cm plus.  They are highly mineralized.  Any idea what these might be?

[facehugger]

can we see the cross section?

[Lower Brazos Riverwatch]

I can give it a try.  I have had one potential solution proposed, that they are radioulnae from ungulates- probably a bison and a deer.

 

[Lower Brazos Riverwatch]

Quick and dirty cross section, showing the interesting side.

[Harry Pristis]

 

These are ulnae, not radioulnae 'cause the radii are missing.  The deer ulna was a common Native American tool.

 

 

[Lower Brazos Riverwatch]

Harry, Given the size difference are they likely to be both from deer or does the bison theory seem likely?  The area where these were found had other bison bones, vertebrae and a femur.  It was suggested that the smaller one might have been an awl bone.

Edited August 19, 2019 by Lower Brazos Riverwatch
left soething out

[Harry Pristis]

 

Bovid is probably a reasonable guess for the larger. extensively-worn ulna, but you can compare it with the horse just to be sure.