Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump,Alberta Canada

Head-Smashed-In is an archaeological buffalo jump site in Alberta, Canada. It lies in a grassy plains area that is nicely shaped for herding animals to their death, as was successfully done on foot. This topographical slaughterhouse has been used by the Piegan Indians (One of the four Blackfoot groups) and their predecessors for at least 5,600. It serves as an excellent resource for information of mass-meat hunting methods practiced by prehistoric peoples of the Northern Plains.

It is a well-preserved example of prehistoric man’s ability to plan ahead, use organizational skills, and to accomplish things most people alive today cannot do, such as herding animals on foot. Hunters have repeatedly driven large numbers of buffalo over the cliff’s edge for thousands of years. Evidence from Head-Smashed-In site indicates use of the site from 5700 BP up until the 18^th century by the modern day Paigan Indians. There are historical accounts that give clues to how the site was used by several groups of communal hunters.

The first actual reports of the site began with a English explorer, Peter Fidler who had visited the area in 1797 and recorded his observations; of course during this time, rifles were well incorporated into the kills. In addition there has been an abundance of excavation field work done to collect archaeological information to help fill the present day museum. The first excavation took place in 1938 by Junius B. Bird. This didn’t help much because he didn’t publish his work. Recording information from an archaeological site is important so the information can be passed along for others. More successful excavations have taken place since.

According to archaeological and ethnological evidence there are four cultural phases associated with the site. They are, span from 5700 BP to historic times with the occupation by the Blackfoot Paigan Indians. Within these phases many artifacts were found, mostly projectile points. Some of the items gathered at the site were tested biologically for blood and other chemical residue.

Mummy Cave (5700BP " 5100BP)

The Mummy Cave Phase lasted for approximately 600 years. These people depended on mainly local materials for tool production. The majority of this was Quartzite, however about 1% of this was a higher quality chert from Montana. Bifacial notched p-points were found in the Mummy Cave levels and were most likely used as atlatl dart tips. There are Oxbow style (shape is similar to a spade on a playing card), and longer versions as well, that could have been reworked down in the style of Oxbow. Other Mummy Cave tools found were Large Flakes and one Skinning Knife.

Pelican Lake (~3097BP ± 120 " 25AD ± 80)

This was by far the longest (by a lot) phase at Head-Smashed-In. The Pelican Lake phase was most popular for its variety of exotic materials for tool making. Some of their projectile points had stems, rather than being notched. These were made of metamorphosed argillite from the Kootenay Lake area in British Columbia, about 800km west of the site. Their p-points, when compared to those of Mummy Cave had a straighter edge, and appear to be more triangular in shape. These were used as atlatl dart tips as well. The Pelican Lake people most likely retrieved their points for reuse. Yellowstone obsidian, Rocky Mountain cherts, Chalcedonies, and Knife River Flint made up the majority of raw material used for Pelican tools.

Avonlea (110AD ± 90 " 850AD)

As is characteristic of the other cultural phases, Avonlea too may have evolved from its predecessors. They used high quality chert from British Columbia, Great Plains stone, as well as local materials, a small amount of Yellowstone obsidian and some other materials with unknown source. Among articles found in these layers were skinning knives, end scrapers, small flakes, and wedges. The wedges were possibly used for splitting leg bones, in order to access marrow. The most unique and defining component of this phase was the introduction of the bow and arrow. This phase is marked by these really tiny arrow points made of Pelican Lake Chert from Saskatchewan.

Old Women’s (850AD " 1800AD)

The Old Women’s phase at Head-Smashed-In is named after an additional nearby kill site. Old Women’s is the last phase named at Head-Smashed-In. Tools gathered from these layers were “cigar-shaped” skinning knives made from small chert pebbles, quartzite cobbles and flakes, anvils and knives of chert and other items of petrified wood. In the latter part of their occupations, they began importing Yellowstone obsidian and Porcellanite from Montana. Unique items (of European source) found in the upper strata were metal arrowheads, and a musket ball. Though obviously buffalo remains were gathered from all stages, this particular phase left behind more obvious macro remains. This would be caused by the fact that this phase continued almost up to the historic times, and less time for decay was available before excavation. The buffalo remains collected in the Old Women’s layers included the carrion of horns, hair, intestines, and feces.

Because of the previous damage caused by looters and excavations, in order to protect the site Head-Smashed-in was nominated as an official World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization). This placed the site up to the level of the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Therefore, it is now protected internationally. In addition there is now a huge interpretive center on the site to control visiting population.

This unique Alberta site has offered the opportunity for Archaeologists and others to study the way of North America’s native hunters and gatherers. Head-Smashed-In kill site has provided a detailed timeline of the techniques and tools used in the skill and sport of hunting.

References

Bahn, Paul (2004). Archaeology Theoriesm Methods, and Practice. Thames and Hudson.

Newman, Margaret E. et al (1995) "The use of immunological techniques in the analysis of archaeological maters—a response to Eisele; with report of studies at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump." Antiquity 70(1996) 677-82

Eisele, J.A. (1995) "Survival and detection of blood residues on stone tools." Antiquity 69(1995) 36-46.

Internet Sources:

Alberta Community Development

Accessed March 22, 2007”How the West was Young” (title page photo) http://www.abheritage.ca/alberta/fur_trade/fur_images.html

Archaeological Sites Accessed March 20, 2007 (Site Layout Photo)

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/northamerica/headsmashedin.html

Mount Royal Bed and Breakfast Accessed March 22, 2007 (distance) http://www.mountroyalbb.com/attractions.htm

Huck, Barbara; Whiteway, Doug Accessed March 22, 2007 (distance)

“Dry Island Buffalo Jump” http://raysweb.net/dryisland/pages/headsmashedin.html

Canadian Encyclopedia Accessed March 21, 2007 (location and height of cliff)

“Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump” http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003656

Info Guide Accessed March 23, 2007

http://www.head-smashed-in.com/InfoGuide.pdf

Estipah-skikikini-kots Accessed March 21, 2007)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/hzg2/A2654697

A History of the Native People of Canada Volume II (1000 B.C to A.D. 500) Accessed March 20, 2007

http://civilization.ca