All Resources

Excavations at EePj-103 (Margaret’s Site) on the Bow River : a stratified protohistoric and historic site in southern Alberta

Description

Excavations in 2015 at EePj-103, Margaret’s Site, revealed a stratified Protohistoric and Historic Period site. A unique feature of this site is that it has two stratigraphically separate... More ≫

Description

Excavations in 2015 at EePj-103, Margaret’s Site, revealed a stratified Protohistoric and Historic Period site. A unique feature of this site is that it has two stratigraphically separate protohistoric occupations, neither of which are mixed with earlier Precontact Period materials nor later Historic Period materials. EePj-103 also has later Historic Period occupations, at least one of which is associated with the Domburg Ranch, established in 1889, and represented today by the remnants of sandstone building foundations. EePj-103 is uniquely positioned to help answer important research questions about the Protohistoric Period in southern Alberta, particularly those related to changing technology with the introduction of European trade goods. The historic ranch remains also represent a very early period in the settlement of Alberta after the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which...

Tags

Near surface magnetic assessment on the FM Ranch Campsite (EfPk-1)

Description

During mitigative and exploratory studies undertaken at the FM Ranch Campsite (EfPk-1) in 2015, near-surface geophysical assessment was implemented to help focus archaeological and... More ≫

Description

During mitigative and exploratory studies undertaken at the FM Ranch Campsite (EfPk-1) in 2015, near-surface geophysical assessment was implemented to help focus archaeological and geoarchaeological studies in a selected area of the site. The purpose of the study was to locate culturally-derived combustion features (such as hearths) using magnetic detection methods prior to excavation, in order to maximize the potential for recovery of cultural data that are usually associated with these types of features. Analysis of the results of this work illustrated some shortcomings of the gradiometer method, and an alternative geophysical magnetic assessment method that would be more suitable for investigating the majority of archaeological features found in North America is suggested. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in...

Tags

Report A Find : three years later

Description

This short paper offers a history of a public engagement initiative of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta called "Report A Find" that stemmed from the need to coordinate accounts of... More ≫

Description

This short paper offers a history of a public engagement initiative of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta called "Report A Find" that stemmed from the need to coordinate accounts of archaeological discoveries resulting from erosion during and after the 2013 floods in southern Alberta. The program launched in 2014 in an effort to create a portal for members of the public to convey information about potential disturbances to historic resources. In its short existence, Report A Find has hosted over 60 exchanges of information pertaining to artifact or fossil discoveries, site locations, and private collections. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags

A summary of radiocarbon dates from the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program

Description

During the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program, a total of 72 radiocarbon dates were obtained from 23 archaeological sites. Radiocarbon dates submitted too late to be incorporated into... More ≫

Description

During the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program, a total of 72 radiocarbon dates were obtained from 23 archaeological sites. Radiocarbon dates submitted too late to be incorporated into final reports account for 65 per cent of the dates and are presented here. This paper provides a summary and evaluation of all radiocarbon dates for the Flood Investigation Program. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags

2016 flood mitigation excavations at EfPm-267, EePk-253, and EePj-103 (Margaret’s Site) on the Bow River

Description

Excavations at three archaeological sites located on the Bow River in Calgary or in relatively close proximity to the east were commissioned in 2016 in response to the floods of 2013. These three... More ≫

Description

Excavations at three archaeological sites located on the Bow River in Calgary or in relatively close proximity to the east were commissioned in 2016 in response to the floods of 2013. These three sites were impacted by the floods and are in imminent threat of further erosion and information loss. The three sites produced evidence of site occupations ranging from the Middle Precontact Period through to the Protohistoric and Historic Periods. Most significantly, excavation and radiocarbon dating at EePj-103 and EePk-253 indicate that both sites have evidence of terminal Late Period and/or Protohistoric Period occupations, likely representing portions of the same settlement pattern system on the Bow River at that time. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags

Alberta’s culture-historical model and the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program

Description

The Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program resulted in the recovery of substantial amounts of archaeological material. Excavations were conducted at highly threatened sites. The artifact... More ≫

Description

The Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program resulted in the recovery of substantial amounts of archaeological material. Excavations were conducted at highly threatened sites. The artifact assemblages recovered from these excavations both support our current understanding of Alberta’s past and challenge some long-held ideas. The new information supports recently conceived ideas of the Calderwood Complex, Bracken Phase, and Avonlea-Old Women’s Transition. As well, long-held notions of the Old Women’s Phase are supported. Still, the study provides substantial evidence that the protohistoric Old Women’s Phase/Blackfoot is more complex than originally believed, with a possible intrusion by the Highwood Phase/Shoshone. Furthermore, there is evidence during the protohistoric Old Women’s Phase/Blackfoot for a more rapid change than previously considered from traditional to European goods. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which...

Tags

A river of knowledge : observations and lessons about archaeological resources from the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program

Description

Alberta Culture and Tourism initiated the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program following the June 2013 flooding in southern Alberta to understand how historic resources had been affected... More ≫

Description

Alberta Culture and Tourism initiated the Southern Alberta Flood Investigation Program following the June 2013 flooding in southern Alberta to understand how historic resources had been affected during the event and to provide information about effective management of these historic resources in the future. Reconnaissance of nearly 485 kilometres of rivers and creeks in southern Alberta led to the examination of 243 archaeological sites. Results of the program provide new insights into Alberta’s Protohistoric Period. The program has provided a legacy of baseline archaeological information that can be used to monitor archaeological resources within southern Alberta’s dynamic riverine landscapes. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags

Recognizing macrofossils : a pictorial guide to some common seeds and shells from alluvial deposits in southern Alberta

Description

Macrofossils such as seeds and shells are excellent resources for reconstructing past environments. This paper reviews diagnostic characteristics and presents microphotographs of fossil and modern... More ≫

Description

Macrofossils such as seeds and shells are excellent resources for reconstructing past environments. This paper reviews diagnostic characteristics and presents microphotographs of fossil and modern specimens of taxa commonly encountered in near-stream sediment samples from a southern Alberta flood investigation program. The goal of this paper is to provide critical identification information about the target taxa to non-specialists. We hope that this will promote the further collection of macroremain-rich samples and provide a foundational approach for describing seeds and shells. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags

The naked landscape : science and the secrets of the FM Ranch Campsite (EfPk-1)

Description

The FM Ranch Campsite (EfPk-1), one of the province’s most highly valued archaeological sites, was damaged by the 2013 catastrophic floods along the Bow River in southern Alberta. This study... More ≫

Description

The FM Ranch Campsite (EfPk-1), one of the province’s most highly valued archaeological sites, was damaged by the 2013 catastrophic floods along the Bow River in southern Alberta. This study recovered archaeological data that was exposed along eroded riverbanks and at risk of further loss. The primary goal was to correlate the riverbank exposures with intact recoveries from the terrace interior. Results indicate that at least seven occupations took place on different parts of the landform during the past 1,300 years. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags

The Ramsfield collection : a multi-occupation site near the Highwood River

Description

Presents the findings of a study of the the private artifact collection, EdPl-40 (the Ramsfield collection), during the 2014 post-flood impact assessment of the Highwood River. The Ramsfield... More ≫

Description

Presents the findings of a study of the the private artifact collection, EdPl-40 (the Ramsfield collection), during the 2014 post-flood impact assessment of the Highwood River. The Ramsfield collection consists of a variety of artifacts including projectile points from the Middle and Late Periods with materials including Montana cherts, Knife River Flint, petrified wood, local chert, quartzite, and porcellanite. Part of the 37th volume of the Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper series, which contains 18 articles exploring multiple facets of the impact on archaeological resources of the 2013 flood in southern Alberta.

Tags