20 Moving Photographs Depicting the History of the United States

1870 – Hill of Bison Skulls

In the 19^th century, the American bison were nearly hunted to extinction by American settlers. The tongues and hides were used as trading currency, but the remains of the carcasses were left to rot. By the 1880s, only about 100 bison survived. Their predictable behavior was what made them easy prey to gun-wielding entrepreneurs and hunters.