Hudson Meng Bison Kill Site - Chadron, Nebraska
Hudson Meng Bison Kill Site - Chadron, Nebraska
You will want to visit the world’s largest Alberta Culture bison kill site and museum. At Hudson-Meng you will experience a moment in time, discovering how early North American hunters survived 10,000 years ago. Capture their spirit, hear the story, learn about America’s prehistory, and the animals that roamed here. Hudson-Meng is the world’s largest Alberta Culture Bison Kill Site and bonebed.
About 10,000 years ago, a small band of nomadic hunters stampeded and slaughtered over 600 bison on what is now known as the High Plains of Nebraska. The bison kill ensured the hunters’ winter survival.
The large bone concentration began to reveal itself in 1954 during bulldozer operations to create an earthen dam. Construction of the multiple spring-fed dam was halted as discussions about the extensive bone field and the type of animal were held. Finally, it was decided the bones were probably sheep bones from a flock owned by an earlier rancher or homesteader.
A local rancher, Albert Meng, lived just west of the location. He was suspicious that the bones were bison, as they were too large for sheep, in his opinion. In 1968 they got professor from Chadron State College to look at the promising location. It wasn’t long before the base of a Knife River Flint artifact was uncovered, protruding from beneath bison ribs. That discovery, along with 19 Alberta points, was sufficient evidence to prove the site was an archaeological bison kill.
In the1990’s investigators totally reversed the previous evidence. They did so based on 13.5 square meters of bone deposits from an area that had already been exposed as one of the least productive portions of the kill site. Based on that 13.5 square meter exposure, the investigators decided there was NO human involvement, that it was a natural death assemblage, for which they proposed many causes of death, ultimately stating, "We will never know the cause of death".
Your Hudson-Meng experience will include a 30 minute guided tour of the immediate area and the enclosed bonebed, learning about the 10,000 year old Alberta Culture and the animals they hunted. You will have the opportunity to experience interactive museum exhibits, view videos and slide presentations, plus become acquainted with High Plains geology, biology, and botany.
Hudson-Meng Museum and Research Center
Open May 15th through Labor Day
Daily 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Last tour at 4:00 P.M.
Adult Rate….$5.00 (tax included)
Senior Rate…60 and over…$4.50 (tax included)
Kids…5-12…$3.00 (tax included)
Kids…4 & under…Free
Bus Tours: $2.00 plus tax
Family Groups-10-24 $.50 off each applicable age catagory
25+ $1.00 off each applicable age catagory
Hudson-Meng Annual Rate:
Individual: $15.00 (tax included)
Family: $25.00(tax included)
Universally Accessible
Junior Archaeologist Program
June 1-August 15 with required credit card reservation
$4.00 per child with paid admisson (tax included) One session daily, 2:00 P.M.
Reservation number: 308.665.3900 or 605.745.6017
Location: 125 N. Main St., Chadron NE
Phone: 308-432-0300
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Sterling Betts several years ago in Chaldron, Neb. He was a retired Geologist. I was honored when he gave to my grandson one of the buffalo ribs from the great buffalo kill 10;000 years ago. It was a part of his collection he had gathered during his time of working. He also gave my grandson several fossils and other artifacts that we still treasure to this day. . We had a wonderful 5 hour visit with Mr. Betts showing us his treasures. It was a highlight of our vacation. it was a chance meeting at the local Post Office mailing some cards home that I met him and he invited us to his home. My grandson has shown the rib to several of his teachers sionce then.