Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Buffalo jump archaeological site in Fort Macleod, Canada.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is an archaeological site at the edge of a sandstone cliff in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Fort Macleod. The cliff forms a natural barrier that extends several hundred meters and towers over the valley below.
Indigenous communities drove bison herds to the edge of the cliff for thousands of years to obtain meat, hides, and bones for survival. The practice ended in the 19th century with the arrival of European settlers and the drastic decline of the bison population.
A legend tells of a young man who wanted to watch the bison from below and was buried under the falling animals. His fate gave the place its name in the Blackfoot language, which remains in use today.
A visitor center built into the cliff offers exhibits and information about the history of the site and is open several days per week. Walking trails lead from the building to different points along the cliff where you can observe the landscape and topography.
Beneath the cliff, layers of bone, stone tools, and organic material have accumulated over thousands of years, forming an exceptionally detailed archive of human activity. These deposits reach a considerable depth and rank among the most important prehistoric sites in North America.
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