All Resources

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.

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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.

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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 ≫

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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.

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The Highwood River’s tale : impacts to heritage resources by the 2013 southern Alberta flood

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In 2014, Stantec Consulting Ltd. carried out an in depth survey of the Highwood River valley for archaeological, historic, and palaeontological resources. In addition to revisiting known sites and... More ≫

Description

In 2014, Stantec Consulting Ltd. carried out an in depth survey of the Highwood River valley for archaeological, historic, and palaeontological resources. In addition to revisiting known sites and recording new ones, the project provided risk assessments relative to flood related impacts and site management strategies. New sites were recorded all along the Highwood River and several known sites were found to be much richer than previously thought. Additionally, numerous new Quaternary microfaunal, macrofaunal, and palaeoenvironmental sites were recorded during the palaeontological survey. This paper presents a brief summary of the program, including a case study of a joint archaeological and palaeontological locality. 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.

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The 2015 flood assessment program for Tongue Creek

Description

The 2013 flood has presented an unparalleled opportunity to document historic resources sites exposed by the flood event. In a 2015 flood assessment survey along Tongue Creek, 20 new... More ≫

Description

The 2013 flood has presented an unparalleled opportunity to document historic resources sites exposed by the flood event. In a 2015 flood assessment survey along Tongue Creek, 20 new archaeological sites and 12 palaeontological and palaeoenvironmental sites were documented. This survey has shed light on the late precontact use of the valley by Indigenous people, including large-scale communal bison hunting practices. 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.

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Terrestrial laser scanning for the documentation of an at-risk buffalo jump (EgPp-26) in south-central Alberta

Description

This paper reports on the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to digitally capture the Wearmouth buffalo jump site located (EgPp-26) in south-central Alberta. The resulting datasets provide a... More ≫

Description

This paper reports on the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to digitally capture the Wearmouth buffalo jump site located (EgPp-26) in south-central Alberta. The resulting datasets provide a lasting digital record of the site, as it appeared in September of 2016 and 2017. The digital data can be used to create accurate 3D reconstructions and the application of these high-resolution geospatial datasets can be used for quantifying analyses. As natural disasters such as flooding and wildfire increase in frequency, reality-capture technologies, such as terrestrial laser scanning, are effective tools for monitoring, managing, and preserving heritage resources. 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.

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2016 Southern Alberta flood investigation at sites EePl-261 and EdPm-7 on the Highwood River

Description

In 2016, preliminary excavations were conducted at EdPm-7 and EePl-261 along the Highwood River south of Calgary. The sites were heavily impacted by the 2013 floods and continue to be threatened... More ≫

Description

In 2016, preliminary excavations were conducted at EdPm-7 and EePl-261 along the Highwood River south of Calgary. The sites were heavily impacted by the 2013 floods and continue to be threatened by future flood events. Excavations, diagnostic artifacts, and radiocarbon dating confirmed that EePl-261 and EdPm-7 are Late Precontact Period sites. Eight interesting in situ features were identified and excavated, which contribute to a better understanding of camp life and settlement patterns along the Highwood River. 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.

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The Wearmouth Buffalo Jump : a stratified protohistoric site on lower Jumpingpound Creek, Alberta

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As a result of the program initiated by Alberta Culture and Tourism in response to the widespread flooding of 2013, a series of previously unidentified archaeological sites were recorded northwest... More ≫

Description

As a result of the program initiated by Alberta Culture and Tourism in response to the widespread flooding of 2013, a series of previously unidentified archaeological sites were recorded northwest of Calgary on a tributary of the Bow River, Jumpingpound Creek, near the confluence of the two waterways. This site complex is organized around the newly recorded Wearmouth Buffalo Jump, a deeply stratified bison kill at the foot of a small cliff. The area represents a rare instance in which aspects of archaeology, history, and Indigenous tradition may intersect at a geographic location that has remained largely intact since the period of first contact, yet this area remains highly susceptible to flood related erosion. 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.

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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...

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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...

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