Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump |
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| Native name Blackfoot: Estipah-skikikini-kots |
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The cliffs at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
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| Location | Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26 near Fort Macleod Alberta |
| Area | 73.29 square kilometres (28.30 sq mi) |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Governing body | Alberta Community Development |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | vi |
| Designated | 1981 (5th session) |
| Reference no. | 158 |
| Country | Canada |
| Region | North America |
| Official name: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated | 1968 |
| Type | Provincial Historic Site |
| Designated | 1979 |
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Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is an amazing historic site in Alberta, Canada. It's located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Fort Macleod. This special place is where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the wide-open prairie.
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples used this cliff to hunt bison. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has a museum that teaches visitors about Blackfoot culture. Joe Crowshoe Sr., a respected Elder of the Piikani Nation, helped create this important site. He worked hard to protect Aboriginal culture and build understanding between different peoples.
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How People Hunted Bison at Head-Smashed-In
This buffalo jump was used for about 5,500 years. Indigenous peoples of the plains, like the Blackfoot, hunted bison here. They would drive large herds of bison off the 11-meter (36-foot) high cliff.
Before horses arrived, the Blackfoot used clever methods. They would guide bison from their grazing areas in the Porcupine Hills. They used "drive lanes" marked by hundreds of rock piles called cairns. Young men, known as "buffalo runners," would dress like coyotes and wolves. They understood animal behavior very well.
The buffalo runners would guide the bison into the drive lanes. Then, the herd would rush forward at full speed. The bison at the front would be pushed off the cliff by the weight of the herd behind them. This would break their legs, making them unable to move.
The cliff itself is about 300 meters (984 feet) long. At its highest point, it drops 10 meters (33 feet) into the valley below. People used this site for at least 6,000 years. The layers of bison bones at the base are 12 meters (39 feet) deep!
After the bison fell, other Blackfoot warriors would finish them off. They used spears and clubs at the bottom of the cliff. Then, the carcasses were taken to a nearby camp for processing. This camp had fresh water, which was essential for preparing the bison.
The bison provided everything the people needed. Bones were used for tools, and hides were used for homes and clothing. This site was important for more than just food. Successful hunts meant people had free time. They could focus on art and spiritual activities. This helped their society become more complex and rich in culture.
The Legend Behind the Name
In the Blackfoot language, the site is called Estipah-skikikini-kots. This name comes from an old legend. A young Blackfoot man wanted to watch the bison fall from below the cliff. But he was buried under the falling animals. Later, he was found dead under the pile of carcasses. His head had been "smashed in."
Becoming a World Heritage Site
People stopped using Head-Smashed-In in the 1800s, after Europeans arrived. Europeans first recorded the site in the 1880s. The first archaeological digs happened in 1938.
Head-Smashed-In was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1968. It became a Provincial Historic Site in 1979. Finally, in 1981, it was named a World Heritage Site. This was because it shows so much about prehistoric life and the customs of Indigenous peoples.
Visiting the Interpretive Centre and Museum
The interpretive centre at Head-Smashed-In opened in 1987. It is built right into the ancient sandstone cliff. This design helps it blend in with nature.
Inside, the center has five different levels. These levels teach about the ecology (how living things interact with their environment), mythology (traditional stories), lifestyle, and technology of the Blackfoot people. It uses information from archaeological findings. The exhibits share both Indigenous perspectives and scientific views.
The center also offers educational programs for schools and the public. You can book these programs all year round. Head-Smashed-In hosts many special events and native festivals. These events are known worldwide for their energy and authenticity. One popular event is Buffalo Harvest Days. It brings together First Nations artists and craftspeople. They show off beautiful jewelry, clothing, art, and crafts.
Visitors can also watch traditional drumming and dancing. These demonstrations happen every Wednesday in July and August. They are held at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the center.
A photography exhibition called Lost Identities: A Journey of Rediscovery is also on display. It features photographs taken in Aboriginal communities. This collection first appeared at the center in 1999. After traveling to other places, it returned permanently. The exhibition is a team effort by many historical societies and museums. It helps tell the stories behind the photos. When it was a traveling exhibit, the Aboriginal communities helped identify the people in the pictures. They also added their own "voice" to the photographs.
See also
In Spanish: Precipicio de los Bisontes de Head-Smashed-In para niños
- List of Canadian provincial parks
- List of World Heritage Sites in North America
