UNIT FOR STRATEGIC ANTHROPOLOGICAL VENTURES

THE MYSTERY OF ANTELOPE CREEK PHASE RELIGION

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The Enigma of Ancient Spirituality in the
Texas Panhandle

alibates28-1-sm.jpg
Antelope Creek turtle petroglyph, Alibates Ruin 28 (photo by Steve Black)

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Idealized interpretive model of Antelope Creek 22 village (PPHS archives)

  In the days before the great horse lords of the Comanche and Kiowa ruled the Texas plains, the north Texas panhandle was home to a semisedentary society of villagers now known as the Antelope Creek Phase people.  They hunted bison, cultivated seasonal crops, and were the keepers of a complex and little-known culture.  The Antelope Creek Phase villagers lived in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles from approximately A.D. 1200 to 1500 during an arid period in the region's history.
 
  Archaeology has yielded valuable insight into the nature of Antelope Creek Phase culture.  Several periods of excavation and investigation beginning in 1907 and continuing to the present have provided diagnostic artifiacts such as dart points, ceramics, structural remains, and rock art.  However, despite the reconstruction of Antelope Creek Phase culture, the model is curiously silent regarding the religion and spirituality of these people.  Tubular pipes and turtle shells have been found, which may suggest certain beliefs, but they only fuel conjecture, given the lack of evidence for the beliefs and myths of the villagers.
 
  After moving to the Panhandle town of Dumas, I (Judd) and later the other members of USAV, took an interest into the problem of Antelope Creek Phase religion.  Consultation with local historian and Texas Historical Commission steward Alvin Lynn and archaeologist Dr. Scott Brosowske, who specializes in Antelope Creek Phase culture, served to expand our interest.  As time allows, USAV is currently researching the nature of Antelope Creek Phase religion in the Texas Panhandle.

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sherds from trade items, used to date Antelope Creek culture

  For more information on the Antelope Creek Phase villagers please visit the following sites:

ANTELOPE CREEK PHASE

ANTELOPE CREEK PHASE: ADVANCED PRE-COLUMBIAN CIVILIZATION IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE

ANTELOPE CREEK DEFINED

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