|
 |
...A Forum for American Indian Issues...
|
Thu Oct 18, 2012 at 14:12:25 PM PDT
|
| Archaeology is the study of the past through material remains. One of the goals of archaeology is discovery and description. Discovery and description, however, is only the first step: archaeologists also seek to develop explanations. Understanding the past means that we should try to understand how people lived in the past and why changes occurred. Ultimately, archaeology seeks to understand human behavior. In addition, there is also a concern, some would say an obligation, of communicating archaeological insights to the general public. One way of doing this is through displays at museums and interpretive centers. One of these interpretive centers is found in southern Alberta: the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre.
|
| Ojibwa :: The Archaeology of Head-Smashed-In, Alberta |
| Indian people have lived in southern Alberta for more than 11,000 years. By 6,000 years ago, they were using a sophisticated hunting technique that involved driving buffalo over a cliff at Head-Smashed-In. In 1965 archaeologists began their first dig at this site which led to the establishment of the Interpretive Centre which now explains the archaeological findings. The fifth level of the Interpretive Centre, Uncovering the Past, shows the archaeology behind the displays and explains how archaeologists uncover the past.
Below the impressive buffalo at the top of the cliff there is a replica of the archaeological dig. The replica is a cast of an actual dig. Digging is often done with a trowel, the dirt placed into the bucket, which is then screened to find small items.
Shown above is the grid used to help record the context of the finds.
The idea of "dig" in archaeology often means going down many meters. In general, the farther down you go, the farther back in time you go.
Archaeology is more than just digging up pretty or exotic objects to be displayed in museums: the context of all items is carefully recorded. The photos above shows the notebooks used to record the findings.
The diorama shown above displays an archaeological dig on the right and the Indian village on the left. This shows what the site was like when it was in use and then what it looks like to the archaeologist. The archaeologists' job is to use the material remains left at the site to reconstruct what happened there. The amount of detail in this diorama is amazing.
A hide scraping tool is shown above.
A series of interactive displays (some of which are shown above) explains some of the different artifacts found at Head-Smashed-In. The displays show not only different types of artifacts, but also how they are made and used. |
|
| In Memoriam |
In honor of my mother, THE FLORA SOMBRERO LIND NAVAJO ENDOWMENT FUND has been set up to accept your donations.
This scholarship endowment has been established at the American Indian College Fund to honor Flora Sombrero Lind, as an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who was born at Inscription House, Arizona of the Many Goats clan circa 1925. This scholarship endowment is funded by Flora's family and friends who want to see Navajo students pursue higher education and carry on their great Navajo heritage.
Please leave a comment here if you donate.
|
| Site Donations |
|
- Please specify what your donation is for in the notes section of the PayPal window. Either propane for Pine Ridge or Rosebud or Hosting fees for this blog. --navajo
If you like to help Aji and Wings please mail a check to them at the address here:
wingssilverwork.com
Click the contact tab for address.
|
| About |
Native American
Netroots
...a forum for the discussion of political, social and economic issues affecting the indigenous peoples of the United States, including their lack of political representation, economic deprivation, health care issues, and the on-going struggle for preservation of identity and cultural history
ABOUT US :
Publisher/Founder
navajo (Neeta Lind)
Executive Editor
Meteor Blades
(Timothy Lange)
Contributing
Editors
oke
Aji
Senior Historian & Writer
Ojibwa
Featured Writers
cacamp
winter rabbit
Mark Trahant
exmearden
Land of Enchantment
Veterans Affairs Correspondent
DaNang65
Contributing
Writers
SarahLee
Bill in MD
DeepHarm
TiaRachel
Kitsap River
4Freedom
No Way Lack of Brain
More...
|
| NDN News & Links |
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide - a constituency that often lacks access to the justice system. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations.
DONATE ONLINE
Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights News
by
Brenda Norrell
Reporting From Native America
National Congress
of
American Indians
BLOG FATHER
- DAILY KOS
BLOG BROTHERS
- NATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
|
|
