Glenrock Buffalo Jump facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Glenrock Buffalo Jump
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Glenrock, Wyoming |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000186 |
| Added to NRHP | April 16, 1969 |
The Glenrock Buffalo Jump is a special place in Converse County, Wyoming. It's a tall cliff, about 40 feet (12 meters) high. Long ago, Native Americans used this cliff as a "buffalo jump." This was a clever way to hunt bison, also known as buffalo.
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What is a Buffalo Jump?
A buffalo jump was a hunting method used by Native Americans for thousands of years. It was a way to get a lot of food and supplies at once. Hunters would carefully guide a large herd of bison towards a cliff.
How Buffalo Jumps Worked
Imagine a huge herd of bison grazing peacefully. Hunters would work together to scare and direct the bison. They might use loud noises, waving blankets, or even fire. The goal was to make the bison stampede. The panicked animals would then run towards the cliff's edge.
When the bison went over the edge, they would fall to the ground below. The fall would either kill them or injure them badly. This made it much safer for the hunters to collect the meat. It also meant they could get a lot of food without risking their lives in a direct hunt.
What They Used the Bison For
After a successful hunt, the Native Americans would use every part of the bison. The meat was a main food source. They would dry it to preserve it for later. Hides were used for clothing, shelter, and tools. Bones were made into tools, weapons, and even ornaments. Nothing went to waste.
History of the Glenrock Site
The Glenrock Buffalo Jump was used for a very long time. People hunted here from about the year 400 AD all the way to 1750 AD. That's over 1,300 years of history!
Today, you can still find many clues about the past at this site. There are large amounts of buffalo bones. These bones tell us how many animals were hunted. You can also find tools and other items left behind by the hunters. These artifacts help us understand how these ancient people lived.
Protecting This Historic Place
The Glenrock Buffalo Jump is an important part of history. It helps us learn about the hunting practices and daily lives of Native Americans. Because it's so important, it has been officially recognized.
On April 16, 1969, the Glenrock Buffalo Jump was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the site so future generations can learn from it too.
