Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is an archaeological site located on the southern end of the Porcupine Hills in southwest ALBERTA. Beginning nearly 6000 years ago and continuing until the mid-19th century, NATIVE PEOPLE of the Northwest Plains used Head-Smashed-In as one of the many ingenious traps designed to kill large numbers of buffalo (see BISON). They used skilful decoy techniques to round up herds of buffalo and stampeded them across the Porcupine Hills and over a 10 m-high cliff. Hunters waiting below the cliff killed and butchered the animals, obtaining great quantities of meat, hide and bone. Deposits of butchered bones and stone tools extend to a depth of over 11 m at the base of the cliff.

This World Heritage Place is described as a great opportunity for Aboriginal Peoples and all Canadians to share more than 6000 years of history with the rest of the world. From Buffalo Jump Education.

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JACK BRINK

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of the richest archaeological sites on the North American plains. In recognition of this, UNESCO declared it a UNITED NATIONS WORLD HERITAGE SITE in 1981.

Archaeological research suggests that this buffalo jump was used for nearly 6000 years. The jump is an enormous complex of archaeological resources, including a huge processing area on the prairie below the kill site and a vast area above the cliff where bison could be gathered. An ongoing research program is an important feature of the site, and during the summer, visitors can see an archaeological dig.

In 1987 an interpretive centre was opened adjacent to the jump. The centre features exhibits on the history and culture of the PEIGAN and other PLAINS peoples and displays of some of the thousands of artifacts recovered from the archaeological site. It is open to the public year round.

See also ARCHAEOLOGY; BUFFALO HUNT; PREHISTORY.

DEBORAH WELCH and MICHAEL PAYNE

Authors contributing to this article:

Author DEBORAH WELCH and MICHAEL PAYNE, JACK BRINK

Links to Other Sites
Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge
The website for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge, which features Canada's largest essay writing competition for Aboriginal youth (ages 14-29) and a companion program for those who prefer to work through painting, drawing and photography. See their guidelines, teacher resources, profiles of winners, and more. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

United Nations World Heritage Sites
Information about locations in Canada that have been designated United Nations World Heritage Sites. From the United Nations website.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
An illustrated information guide for one of the world's best preserved buffalo jumps and a Unesco World Heritage Site located near Fort Macleod in Alberta. Produced by the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump interpretive centre.

An Approach to Aboriginal Cultural Landscapes
A fascinating Parks Canada research report about incorporating traditional Aboriginal values and spiritual views of the natural world into the process of developing national historic site designations.