14 August 2010, 02:25
tin canBuffalo Jump
BROWNING, Mont. (AP) — A vast former hunting complex where bison were stampeded over a cliff at least 1,000 years ago has been uncovered on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana, archaeologists say.
Researchers said the 9-mile-long area contains a well-preserved "drive-line'' system used to funnel bison to their deaths, along with bison bones and the remnants of campsites with hundreds of tepee rings.
Maria Nieves Zedeno, an archaeologist from the University of Arizona's School of Anthropology and Bureau of Applied Research, said it is one of the best-preserved drive-line systems she has seen.
"We really need to preserve this site for future generations,'' Zedeno said.
The site is on a remote plateau overlooking the Two Medicine River, on land owned by the Blackfeet Tribe. Researchers said it could become one of the most significant and largest Blackfeet heritage sites in the region.
Plains Indians harvested bison hundreds of years ago by stampeding them over cliffs, and other jump sites, as they're called, exist in the region.
John Murray, the tribe's historic preservation officer, said the new site will help tribal members understand their history. He said officials hope to one day build an interpretive center at the site.
"The project is important to connect the culture and heritage,'' Murray said.
Researchers said that besides the bison kill site, they have been uncovering artifacts with social and religious significance, including a camp site with 651 tepee rings.
Murray said some Blackfeet members have known about the site for some time, and that increasing oil and gas exploration on the reservation has prompted a push toward preserving cultural sites.
Zedeno said similar kill sites on the reservation have been destroyed by bone collectors, and other kill sites are either damaged or on private land.
At the most recent site, much of the excavation work has been going on at the base of the 30-foot cliff the bison were driven over. Another dig is taking place about 20 feet away that's thought to be a processing area.
Bison scapulas have been found lined up in an intentional manner, but archaeologists are unsure of the significance. http://www.grandviewoutdoors.c...uncovered-in-montana quote:
In one of his journals, Meriwether Lewis describes how a buffalo jump was practiced during the Lewis and Clark Expedition:
"one of the most active and fleet young men is selected and disguised in a robe of buffalo skin... he places himself at a distance between a herd of buffalo and a precipice proper for the purpose; the other Indians now surround the herd on the back and flanks and at a signal agreed on all show themselves at the same time moving forward towards the buffalo; the disguised Indian or decoy has taken care to place himself sufficiently near the buffalo to be noticed by them when they take to flight and running before them they follow him in full speed to the precipice; the Indian (decoy) in the mean time has taken care to secure himself in some cranny in the cliff... the part of the decoy I am informed is extremely dangerous."[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_jump16 August 2010, 21:51
BricePerhaps this should be on the Political Forum. Kinda reminds me of the last pres. election.
17 August 2010, 01:07
tin canquote:
Originally posted by Brice:
Perhaps this should be on the Political Forum. Kinda reminds me of the last pres. election.
then you'll have to post it 'cuz I sure can't
18 August 2010, 00:45
J.D.RandellThe site locally on a cliff overlooking the river is now high-end real-estate. Used as an "elk jump" by the Native Americans.
18 August 2010, 11:43
Equinsu OchaI lived and worked very near Browning for a year (2007).. there were several jumps in the area.. I uncovered quite a few bones at the bottoms of the cliffs. Still have a few. I was always rummaging around the bottoms of the jumps looking for arrowheads, spear points and skinning rocks.
Neat stuff.
On a side note, God help the man who has to live up there on that side of the mountains. Unearthly cold. Other than the great hunting that was there in the fall, it was miserable up there. I hated it!
02 September 2010, 12:38
Bob Rquote:
I lived and worked very near Browning for a year (2007)
We could have been neighbors, except for the fact I didn't live near Browning, I lived IN Browning. I lived there for about 3 years (2005-2008) and finally SWMBO said "get me out of here". So I did.
bob
03 September 2010, 11:51
J.D.RandellI keep thinking "Buffalo Jump" is some new dance out of New York.