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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 ≫

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.

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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 ≫

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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...

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

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... 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

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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 ≫

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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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Finding traces of trading places on the Highwood River

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Assessment excavations were completed in the fall of 2016 at the Spitzee Post (EdPl-13) and the Metke Site (EdPl-10). Recognizing the value of historic resources along these drainages, these... More ≫

Description

Assessment excavations were completed in the fall of 2016 at the Spitzee Post (EdPl-13) and the Metke Site (EdPl-10). Recognizing the value of historic resources along these drainages, these archaeological studies were conducted to assess erosional impacts of the 2013 flood on these two sites. Conclusions highlight the importance of this ford on the Highwood River over the last 5,000 years or more. 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 Bow River flood study : a tale of past, present, and future

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In 2013 and 2014, Lifeways of Canada completed an assessment of the impacts of the 2013 flood of the Bow River on palaeontological and archaeological resources. Assessment studies focused on... More ≫

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In 2013 and 2014, Lifeways of Canada completed an assessment of the impacts of the 2013 flood of the Bow River on palaeontological and archaeological resources. Assessment studies focused on visually assessing erosional exposures observed along this stretch of the river and documenting historic resources when found. These studies resulted in the discovery and documentation of approximately 50 archaeological sites and palaeontological finds, of which well over half are newly discovered sites. 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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Report A Find : three years later

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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 ≫

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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.

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

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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 ≫

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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 ≫

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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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Post-2013 flood historic resource assessments of the Sheep, Highwood, and Bow rivers and their contribution to a regional understanding of the precontact landscape

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Historic resources assessments of the impacts the 2013 flood on palaeontological and archaeological resources adjacent to the Bow, Sheep, and upper Highwood rivers in southern Alberta were... More ≫

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Historic resources assessments of the impacts the 2013 flood on palaeontological and archaeological resources adjacent to the Bow, Sheep, and upper Highwood rivers in southern Alberta were conducted between 2013 and 2015. These studies visually assessed erosional exposures on these rivers and documented historic resources. Analysis of the location and character of these finds has shed light on the types of landforms present and the nature of human occupations in the Bow River watershed, and highlights how significant the impact of flood-related erosion has been on historic resources. This paper discusses these finds in a regional context to integrate them into the larger geological and precontact landscape contexts of southern Alberta. 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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