Alberta Archaeological Review

ALBERTA ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIEW

Number 4 ISSN 0701-1776 Spring 1982

SOCIETY OFFICERS FOR 1982-83 EDITOR'S COMMENTS President: John Brumley The delay of several months in the production of this Group Box 20, Veinerville issue was occasioned by unforeseen circumstances. The Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7E5 forebearance of subscribers is appreciated. The response 526-6021 by individuals and institutions to the Review since it Executive Sec./ Jeanne Cody appeared in a new format last autumn is highly encouraging. Treasurer: P.O. Box 4609, Station C The 1982 annual meeting of the Archaeological Society Calgary, Alberta T2T 5P1 of Alberta was well attended and resulted in developments 243-4340 which are reported in the following pages. As senior partner Editor, Review & Dr. T.A. Moore in Ethos Consultants and a past president of the Society of Publications: The University of Lethbridge Consultant Archaeologists of Alberta, John Brumley brings Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4 a wealth of archaeological and administrative experience to 329-2225 his new post as president of the Archaeological Society of Alberta. Minutes of the June meeting of the provincial exec Nick Sheptycki Past President: utive at Medicine Hat are published herein. 5811 - 113A Street Edmonton, Alberta T6H 1A9 The constructive response of individual archaeological 434-2316 consultants is a source of optimism for the future strength of both the Review and the Archaeological Society of Alberta. Vice-President: Jeanne (Mrs. Alan) Cody A good example of this can be found in Brumley's active 1202 Lansdowne Avenue S.W. participation in the Society and his contribution to this issue Calgary, Alberta T2S 1A6 of the Review by way of a report on his research for 243-4340 PanCanadian Petroleum in locating the site of the first nat Elected Sec./ Lucille (Mrs. Harvey) Martz ural gas well in Alberta. Treasurer: P.O. Box 536 The major development in Alberta archaeology since Medicine Hat, Alberta the last issue of the Review was the designation by the 527-0388 United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organ Southeastern Centre: President: Janice Andreas ization (UNESCO) of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump as a 46 Rossland Crescent S.E. world heritage site. In the absence of material from Alberta Medicine Hat, Alberta TIB 2B6 Culture on this internationally significant event, Jim Car 526-3346 penter has contributed the text of a talk he gave at the site to Rep.: Phyllis (Mrs. Ian) McLaughlin a delegation from the Canadian Federation of Naturalists in P.O. Box 113 •> July. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7E8 The efforts of those who have contributed to the pro 526-3753 duction of this issue are appreciated. A publication grant Calgary Centre: President: Louise (Mrs. L.M.) Travis provided by Alberta Culture is gratefully acknowledged. 1815 Varsity Estates Drive N.W. Calgary, Alberta T3B 3Y7 286-5738 Members of the Archaeological Society of Alberta Rep.: David B. Coutts receive a copy of the Alberta Archaeological Review. 3817 - 7 Street S.W. Non-members and institutions may subscribe to the Calgary, Alberta T2T 2Y4 Alberta Archaeological Review for $5.00 per calendar 243-2101 year. Cheques should be made payable to The Archaeolog Lethbridge Centre: President: Duncan Mackintosh ical Society of Alberta. 1719 - 9 Avenue South All communications regarding subscriptions and the Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W4 Alberta Archaeological Review should be sent to the 327-5466 Editor, Dr. T.A. Moore, The University of Lethbridge, Rep.: Lawrence Halmrast Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4. P.O. Box 165 Communications regarding the Archaeological Society Warner, Alberta T0K 2L0 of Alberta should be addressed to the Executive Secretary/- 642-2126 Treasurer, Mrs. Jeanne Cody, P.O. Box 4609, Station C, Edmonton Centre: President: G.F. Paschen Calgary, Alberta, T2T 5P1. 11911 University Drive Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z6 436-4913 Cover Photo: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. ANNUAL MEETING NEWS

ORGANIZATION CHANGES BUSINESS MEETING

1. A motion, approved at the general meeting, April 24, The meeting was called to order by president Nick 1982, authorizes two editorial signators to attend all Sheptycki. provincial executive meetings. The minutes of the 1981 annual meeting were read as published, and moved adopted as read by Mary Sheptycki, 2. A motion, approved at the general meeting, April 24, seconded by Mike Quigg. Carried. 1982, changes the annual meeting sequence as follows: 1983 - Medicine Hat; 1984 - Calgary; 1985 - Lethbridge. Reports President's Report: President Sheptycki expressed concern for the difficulties of the Edmonton Centre, and thanked the Lethbridge Centre for arranging the program ANNUAL MEETING 1982 and meeting on short notice. An executive meeting was held April 20, 1981, at which Dr. Terry Moore was appointed The seventh annual meeting was scheduled to be held in editor of the Archaeological Review. Edmonton, but because of internal problems in the Edmon Treasurer's Report: Motion for adoption of the report ton Centre, president Nick Sheptycki asked the Provincial as submitted was made by executive secretary/treasurer Executive to change the venue. Accordingly, the 1982 Jeanne Cody, seconded by Jim Carpenter. Carried. annual meeting was re-scheduled to Lethbridge. The Saturday, April 24 meeting and banquet were held Editor's Report: Written report submitted by the editor, in the El Rancho Motor Hotel, Lethbridge, and the Sunday Terry Moore. field trip to sites in the Porcupine Hills - drive lanes, effigies, buffalo jump - was led by Grace and Ken Dahl. Energy Resources Control Board Report: Written J.H. Carpenter of Lethbridge was program chairman report submitted by Jim Humphreys. and introduced the speakers. Public Advisory Committee to the Environment Coun cil of Alberta Report: A verbal report by N. Sheptycki on behalf of Gerry Paschen. SATURDAY, April 24 Centre Reports: 1:00 p.m. REGISTRATION Lethbridge Written report submitted by Law MEGALITHIC STRUCTURES IN NORTH rence Halmrast WEST GERMANY. Slides, talk, presented by Calgary Written report submitted by Sharon Dr. John F. Dormaar. Thorpe COFFEE BREAK Edmonton Verbal report by Nick Sheptycki AN OXBOW CAMPSITE ON SOUTH Southeastern Written report submitted by Janice RIDGE, MEDICINE HAT. Slides, talk, pre Andreas sented by John Brumley. 3:45 p.m. BUSINESS MEETING 5:00 p.m. FREE TIME 6:30 p.m. NO-HOST BAR 7:00 p.m. DINNER Guest Speaker: Rod Vickers, OVER THE GOLD RUSH TRAIL - THE CHILKOOT PASS.

SUNDAY, April 25 FIELD TRIP TO PORCUPINE HILLS 8:30 a.m. Cars meet at El Rancho parking lot, 6th Avenue South. Field Captain: Ken Dahl. New Business

1. Archaeological Review Bank Account: 5. Plains Anthropology Conference: MOVED THAT the Archaeological Society of Alberta Dr. Richard Forbis spoke on the Plains Anthropology maintain a bank account at the Canadian Imperial Bank Conference which the University of Calgary will be of Commerce, 1502 - 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, hosting November 10-13, 1982, and asked for our sup Alberta, to facilitate the publishing of the Alberta port. MOVED THAT a letter be sent to the Provincial Archaeological Review, and further Government from our Society, supporting Dr. Forbis' request for a grant. THAT the signing authorities of this account be any two John Brumley, Mike Quigg. Carried. of the following three persons: editor of the Review, Dr. T.A. Moore; past president, J.H. Carpenter; and Cen tre president Duncan J. Mackintosh, all of Lethbridge, 6. Appointments Confirmed: Alberta, and further a. MOVED THAT the appointment of Jeanne Cody THAT these three persons be authorized to attend all as executive secretary/treasurer be confirmed. executive meetings and annual meetings of the Arch David Coutts, George Reti. Carried. aeological Society of Alberta, and further b. MOVED THAT the appointment of Dr. Terry THAT these three persons be authorized to apply for Moore as editor be confirmed. grants on behalf of the Archaeological Society of Lawrence Halmrast, Jim Humphreys. Carried. Alberta for the furtherance of the Alberta Archaeologi cal Review, and further c. MOVED THAT Dave Coutts and Jim Humphreys be re-appointed to the committee representing our THAT they be responsible for submitting to the general Society on the Energy Resources Conservation membership at the annual meeting a statement showing Board, and further THAT a suitable name be a full and proper accounting of all money received and chosen for the committee. disbursed by them. Jim Carpenter, Dennis Milner. Carried. Jim Carpenter, Duncan Mackintosh. Carried. Suggestions: 2. Melcor Site: Name for the E.R.C.B. Committee - 'Ward Committee' (as in guardian). MOVED THAT the Society recommend to the Ameri can Association for State and Local History that Melcor Claudette Chadsey suggested that inquiries be made Developments Ltd. of Calgary be considered for an about a Society pin, perhaps an Alberta point, and also Award of Merit or a Certificate of Commendation in the proposed a group tour to Europe. Miscellaneous Organizations category for their on going programme of information regarding Alberta pre Mike Quigg suggested that the executive consider ways history as exemplified in The Past in Place Interpretive of having a representative on the Historic Sites Board. Centre set up and maintained by Melcor to display the archaeological background to their Hawkwood Devel Adjournment: opment. \ President Nick Sheptycki presented the gavel to the Dave Coutts, Richard Forbis. Carried. incoming president, John Brumley. MOVED THAT the 1982 annual meeting be adjourned. 3. Historical Resources Foundation Awards: Jim Carpenter. Carried. MOVED THAT the name of the Archaeological Society of Alberta be submitted to the Historical Resources Foundation for consideration as the first recipient of the new annual award to be presented in 1982. June Carpenter, Dave Coutts. Carried.

4. Re-Arranged Schedule for Future Meetings: WHEREAS Lethbridge will be celebrating its centennial in 1985, therefore MOVED THAT the 1983 annual meeting of this Society be held in Medicine Hat; and that the 1984 annual meeting be held in Calgary; and that the 1985 annual meeting be held in Lethbridge as part of the centennial celebrations. Duncan Mackintosh, Ralph Poelman. Carried. E.R.C.B. COMMITTEE REPORT 1981-82 EDITOR'S REPORT by J. Humphreys by T.A. Moore

We did not file a formal intervention. This year the I should like to begin by expressing my appreciation to Energy Resources Conservation Board routinely requests the Provincial Executive for their support. I would especially surveys on projects of a nature previously decided upon like to thank Duncan Mackintosh and Jim and June Car with the Archaeological Survey. In addition, the Survey is penter for their valued assistance. made aware of drilling applications. The staff has a problem The Alberta Archaeological Review is intended to with the paper work. convey news of the Archaeological Society of Alberta and In August Dave Coutts and I met with the Minister of the activities of the local Centres throughout the province Alberta Culture. Our discussion was general, covering site and to provide a forum for news, reports, and comment by protection and displays, increased public information, and a and for all who may be interested in the preservation of the higher profile for archaeology. We asked if a survey was archaeological heritage of Alberta. planned for the proposed Hazardous Wastes Dump and were assured that it was. Alberta Archaeological Review No. 3 was pub We informed the Lethbridge Centre of the drilling well lished last autumn (1981) and distributed to the local Cen at Head-Smashed-In. Their response was quick and proper. tres. An expanded institutional mailing list is being deve We discussed it with the Chevron people. They wanted us loped. In this regard an effort is being made to encourage to understand that it was inadvertent and would take care to public libraries throughout the province to subscribe to the minimize damage. Review and to acquire publications of the Society. It would We wrote three letters: be helpful if members of the Society requested their local library to acquire materials on Alberta archaeology. Outside Alberta the results are more encouraging as institutions in 1. To Alberta Culture: the United States, Britain, Europe, and South America have recently taken out subscriptions for 1982. It is our hope that - We sympathized with them over the unfortunate inci complimentary copies of the Review may be useful for dent at Head-Smashed-In. promotional purposes by the various Centres. - We said we understood the difficulty of monitoring I am happy to report that the Editor does not have individual shallow wells on the plains, but again asked if financial problems-thanks in large part to the able adminis there was a way of assessing the impact of multiple well trative skills of Jim Carpenter and aid from Alberta Culture programs. through its publication assistance programme. So we do not - We asked if they would review the land-use applica have problems, but there are some challenges. If we are to tions for the Special Areas Tax Recovery Lands in the convey news of the Society and the local Centres, the south-eastern plains. information must be received. Please do not procrastinate on the assumption that you have missed the press deadline. - We admitted that eleven dugouts planned for the Remember, when one issue goes to press, planning on the grazing reserves fell within the "myriad of small devel next issue must begin. Reports of this annual meeting will be opments", but pointed out that they were sometimes included in Review No. 4 which will be published later this important. spring. Furthermore, I am hopeful that practising archaeologists-particularly the consultants-will provide brief, illus 2. To Parks and Recreation: trated reports on recent projects. - We complimented them on their plans for the Willow The papers presented here two years ago at the 19&0 Creek Provincial Park and expressed our disappoint annual meeting of this Society have now been published in ment that they appeared to have overlooked the book form under the title Alberta Archaeology: Pros archaeological work done in the area. We said that the pect and Retrospect, copies of which are available here public would be interested in the past use of the site. today. I might add that as editor it was my view that the sequence in which the papers were originally given did not best suit a book format. Thus, the fine summation of 3. To Energy and Natural Resources: Richard Forbis served well as an Introduction, and there - We quoted an article in the Lethbridge Herald which could be no better conclusion than the paper by David reported Provincial Government assistance to the log Coutts on the history of this, the sponsoring Society. Sev ging industry to harvest beetle-killed timber. We felt eral unforeseen delays prevented delivery of the book in that as this is a government-sponsored program, Histor time for Christmas. It is hoped that the executive of the ical Resource concerns should be included. various Centres will assist in arranging sales through book stores in their area. - The Honourable Peter Trynchy, Recreation and Parks, replied. He said that they were aware of the In conclusion, let me reiterate my call for contributions archaeological sites and planned construction of the of news and reports for publication in the Review; and park to avoid damage. He said that they would revise again, allow me to express my appreciation for the encour their public information pamphlets to include the past agement and many hours of assistance from Jim and June history of the area. Carpenter. LETHBRIDGE CENTRE CALGARY CENTRE

Executive for 1982: President's Report by Sharon Thorpe President: Duncan Mackintosh Vice-President: Herb Sivyer Calgary Centre had a very successful year, with over 80 members now on our mailing list. The main activities of the Secretary: Leslie Darjes year were lectures: we hosted 7 guest speakers at our Treasurer: Elsie Kitchener regular meetings; attended the University of Calgary Arch Directors: Ken Dahl, Andy Graspointner, Elza aeological Association Conference in November and have Tudor, Linnea Walker, Bob Shore, been participating in a lecture series sponsored by the Pete Slemko Archaeological Survey of Alberta. Provincial Rep. Lawrence Halmrast Regular meetings, normally attended by 20 to 30 of our members, have seen a wide range of presentations. Speak The audited financial statement of November 25,1981, ers have been graduate students, faculty and visiting lectur shows a general account balance of $382.07, and a book ers from the University of Calgary. Topics have varied from account balance of $5,611.36. the Viking presence in North America, to Archaeology of Annual dues were $6.00 per membership, and 52 fami the Southwest, to the Roman civilization in the Eastern lies were registered for 1981. Mediterranean. A lecture by Thomas Head, a graduate The book Story on Stone was completed and went on student from the University of Calgary, brought us up to sale in February. One thousand copies were printed, and to date on archaeology in and around our own city, Calgary. date over 700 copies have been sold. The November, 1981 Chacmool Conference emphas Jim Carpenter and Glen Hamilton have done the initial ized the future of archaeology. Members learned of the survey work on the Grand Folks site, where the Lethbridge serious debates and problems faced by both consulting Centre has been mapping petroforms. A further grant from archaeologists and their academic colleagues. The oppor the Lethbridge Alberta 75th Anniversary Committee should tunity to meet and talk with scholars from all over North assure the successful completion of Project #21. America and even Australia was appreciated by all who attended. Programs and Activities for 1981: The Archaeological Survey of Alberta has been present January Southern Alberta Archaeology - Lawrence ing a series of lectures every Tuesday night through March Halmrast. and April on various aspects of Alberta Archaeology. In addition to meeting the people who supervise archaeologi February Archaeology in the Islands of Fiji - Rod cal activities in the province and hearing of the latest devel Vickers. opments and discoveries in the field of archaeology, the lecture series has provided a nice introduction, or review, of March Cliff Dwellers on the Colorado - Alva Bair the state of archaeological knowledge in Alberta. Topics have focused on various regions: the mountains and foot April Dr. Crabtree and the Study of Flintwork- hills, the north, the plains, central Alberta and its environ ing - Dr. Terry Moore. ments, and others. The lectures have been held at the Fort Calgary Interpretive Centre and have been well attended May Field trip to Writing-On-Stone. both by members and by the public. At our final meeting of the 1981/82 season we will have a August Field trip with the Calgary Centre to the member's night. Members will bring presentations of places ghost mining town of Lille in the Crowsnest they have been or other things of archaeological interest. Pass. Our annual elections will also be held to elect a new execu tive for the coming year. All in all, a good year! September Field trip with the South Eastern Alberta Centre to Head-Smashed-In and Pincher Creek buffalo jumps, and to archaeological sites in Waterton International Park.

October Election of Officers for 1982. Annual re ports. Members' night.

November The Gait Museum - Operation and Rede velopment - Jack Elliott. SOUTH EASTERN CENTRE Reports were made to the Archaeological Survey, Executive for 1982: Edmonton, about oil drilling activities on sites of undeter mined archaeological value on the Gilchrist Ranch, along President: Janice Andreas the Milk River, and at Head-Smashed-In buffalo jump, a Vice-President: Ruth Tidy World Heritage Site. In mid-December, an incident involv Secretary/Treasurer: Dennis Milner ing vandalism to the gate and fence at Head-Smashed-In Directors: Mike Quigg, Izzette Mitchell was reported. Provincial Rep.: Phyllis McLaughlin 1981 membership for the South Eastern Alberta Arch FINANCIAL STATEMENT aeological Society totalled 28 persons. The financial state ment as of December, 1981 showed a balance of $836.19. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ALBERTA We had an excellent line-up of summer activities for January 1 - December 31, 1981 1981. May - a field trip to see a local collection; June - the final mapping of the Hutton Medicine Wheel; July - an Income excursion to Dinosaur Provincial Park; August - a visit to Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park; September - a weekend Reimbursement of Loan to Calgary Centre trip to Waterton National Park. for 1981 Annual Meeting $ 500.00 However, due to some unfortunate circumstances and Archaeological Review Subscriptions (3) 15.00 some very inclement weather, these summer events were Annual Dues from the four Centres 316.00 reduced to two outings. A trip to Dinosaur Park and our Bank Interest 818.26 grande finale - the September trip to Waterton, which was $ 1,649.26 led by Mike Quigg, who had excavated in the area in 1969, 1970 and 1971. We were happy to welcome the many members from Lethbridge Centre who joined us at Fort Expenses Macleod. Rather than travel straight to Waterton, we took a Post Office Box Rental $ 20.00 slightly longer route and visited Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Alberta, Jump and the Pincher Creek Buffalo Jump. Filing Fees 3.00 While in Waterton we viewed the Narrows Site, the Red Donation to Canadian Archaeological Rock Canyon Site, and the drive lanes in the Buffalo Pad Association Annual Meeting 100.00 dock. We felt that this trip was a particular success. What To Lethbridge Centre - the Printing Fund: more could you ask for - interesting sites, impressive scen Balance of Account (as per attachment) 6,143.96 ery and beautiful weather. Loan to Calgary Centre for Annual Mtg. 500.00 We have been very fortunate at our meetings to have $6,766.96 featured speakers with varied backgrounds and topics. Our guest speakers have been: December 31,1981 Bank Balance $6,196.96 Mary Jean Furman (member), her slides and experien Plus Income as listed above 1,649.26 ces digging sites in Israel. 7,846.22 Less Expenses as listed above 6,766.96 John Brumley (member), his findings at the Southridge Site. This was of particular interest to the many $1,079.26 members who had dug there the previous year. Bank Balance as of December 31, 1981 $ 1,079.26 Margaret Greene (member), a slide show of the many Mayan and Aztec sites she had visited in Mexico. Financial Statement prepared by Mrs. Jeanne Cody, executive secretary/treasurer and approved by D.B. Coutts Jack Ives, Archaeology in North Eastern Alberta. and J.T. Humphreys.

Bob Vance, the use of Palynology in reconstructing Paleo-environments.

A Heritage Festival was held at the Medicine Hat Museum in February. Various historical groups displayed their own areas of interest. We too took this opportunity to set up an exhibit table with photographs, drawings and PLAINS CONFERENCE TO MEET IN artifacts illustrating activities and the purpose of our So CALGARY ciety. Through the use of pamphlets and publications we hoped to inform the public of our rich archaeological resources and the need to protect them. Many people The 40th annual meeting of the Plains Conference will showed a genuine interest and concern, also we signed up be held in Calgary, Alberta in conjunction with the 15th several new members. Annual Meeting of Chacmool. The combined programs include a number of sessions on Plains archaeology. The The Society held its annual meeting February 24th, Chacmool symposia will examine current issues in bone which was very well attended. We have high hopes for this technology and their significance for archaeology. The summer as we expect to be very busy - doing all the things meetings will be held November 10-13, 1982, at the Palliser we didn't do last year. Hotel. For further information contact Dr. Richard G. For Next year the annual meeting will be held in Medicine bis, Program Committee, Department of Archaeology, Hat and I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, phone (403) 284- you to attend. 5227. FINANCIAL STATEMENT EXECUTIVE MEETING

ALBERTA ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIEW Medicine Hat Community College January 1 - December 31,1981 Saturday, June 26, 1982

Income Date of the next annual meeting and seminar set for Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24,1983. Balance January 1, 1981 $ 000.00 NOTE: - Historical annual meeting - April 16 - Canadian Archaeological Society annual Received from the Archaeo meeting - April 28 to May 1, Halifax, N.S. logical Society of Alberta: - Montana Arch. Society annual meeting - (no Apr. 30, 1981 $ 500.00 date available, Bozeman, Montana Oct. 21, 1981 200.00 Dec. 14,1981 5,443.96 2. Budget discussions - it was suggested that a budget and program be prepared early for the annual meeting and $6,143,96 seminar and sent in along with the grant request. This Prospect and Retro. Sales 285.00 might result in a portion of the grant being available for Review Subscriptions 10.00 early expenses. Donations 45.13 Interest 36.89 3. Grant application for 1982 annual meeting to be ap proved. Grant money to be sent direct to Jeanne Cody >enses and she will pay all outstanding debts.

Printing Review $ 571.97 4. General account (Jeanne Cody) and Review account Typing and Postage 128.56 (Jim Carpenter) were reviewed and discussed. It was Mailings (P. & R. journal) 10.45 decided that the money from fees would stay in the Balance December 31,1981 6,085.99 general account until such time as they were needed by the Review. $6,796.97 $6,796.97 5. A charter amendment to allow for 'members at large' was discussed. It was decided that an extraordinary Certified correct by J.H. Carpenter, February 10,1982, motion should be prepared to include this category and at Lethbridge, Alberta. that it should be passed by the next executive meeting and then placed in the Review for voting on by the general membership. 6. Sales of Albert a Archaeology: Prospect and Retro spect were reviewed. It was suggested that Centres appoint salesmen to place as many as possible in retail outlets. It was also suggested that they be made avail able for all conferences (Plains Conf., November). NEW PUBLICATIONS 7. The E.R.C.B. committee (Jim Humphreys and Dave Coutts) will now be known as The Heritage Ward ALBERTA ARCHAEOLOGY: PROSPECT AND Committee' and their mandate will be a monitoring role RETROSPECT, edited by T.A. Moore, is available from and they will notify the appropriate government author the Alberta Archaeological Review office for $8.50 post ity of anything that may damage or destroy our archaeo paid. logical heritage. 8. It was decided against asking that one of our members be allowed to sit on the Historic Sites Board. Instead the TWO NEW CHACMOOL PUBLICATIONS executive members of this body will be invited to attend NOW AVAILABLE our annual meetings.

APPROACHES TO ALGONQUIAN ARCHAEOL 9. In accordance with the wishes of the members at the OGY, edited by Margaret Hanna and Brian Kooyman. annual meeting a letter was sent to the Minister advising $17.50 plus postage. of our support for the upcoming Plains Conference and a $100 token donation was sent to this body. DIRECTIONS IN ARCHAEOLOGY: A QUESTION OF GOALS, edited by Peter D. Francis and Eric Poplin. 10. A letter was sent to the Historic Sites Board regarding $17.50 plus postage. their annual award program with a request that the Archaeological Society of Alberta be made the first recipient of this award. Both are available from: Archaeological Association Department of Archaeology 11. A suitable lapel pin was discussed and it was decided to University of Calgary ask Claudette Chadsey to submit designs and prices for Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 the next executive meeting. 12. A standard registration form for use of all Centres was The ovens were disassembled there and shipped here to be proposed. President John Brumley will try to have a reassembled brick by brick by the use of a numbering sample draft for next executive meeting. system stamped on each brick. Evidence of these ovens remain and both numbering and trade marks are visible on 13. Next executive meeting will be late fall or early in Janu each brick. It can also be observed that there was an original ary at the call of the chair. system of air cooling and ventilation that was self-contained in the operation of the ovens. They were considered to be 14. Motion to adjourn. the most advanced of the time and unique to North Amer ica. At this part of the site, Lille No. 1 mine, there were the masonry remains of the ovens, mine power house, and slack piles. A short distance to the west were the remains of the Town of Lille which consisted, in 1910, of houses, a liquor store, hotel, school, butcher shop, general store, post office, and Northwest Mounted Police barracks, as well as a board ing house. In 1913 the operations at Lille were closed and the mining activities moved to the West Canadian Colleries LETHBRIDGE AND CALGARY CENTRES Properties at Bellevue and Blairmore. VISIT ABANDONED MINE TOWN Little remains of the town of Lille. Some of the stone work of the walls of the hotel still stands. There are also by Leslie Darjes, Lethbridge Centre pieces of rusted iron machinery, household goods and uten sils, and shards of broken crockery and china. On August 31, 1981, the Lethbridge Centre and Cal Land features of the townsite area are indicated by gary Centre Archaeological Societies attended a joint field evidence of cellars of dwelling sites and an unforested level trip to the site of the mining town of Lille, near Frank, area where the dwellings were at one time located. Alberta. The members enjoyed exploring the different remaining pieces of evidence and discussing them before returning The excursion was undertaken by the joint efforts of f presidents Sharon Thorpe and Duncan Mackintosh in the them to the area of discovery. There was a return hike o the absence of a field guide. Commencing at the hotel in Frank entrance of the Gold Creek road which is partially con several members of both groups combined to locate the structed over the original railway bed. There was evidence entrance to the Gold Creek road by car and then on foot. along this road of railway ties and iron spikes. With all This site at the town of Lille as well as Lille No. 1 mine, is members accounted for, the return trip to Frank was made declared a provincial historical site. In 1901 Trench Camp' by vehicle. was built on this location to be later renamed 'Lille' in 1903. Calgary and Lethbridge members expressed an interest An outstanding feature of the site is the remaining masonry in future combined field trips. Thank you to Duncan and of the coke ovens. In 1904 the battery of Belgian 'Bernard' Sharon for their efforts in locating the town site. It was an coking ovens was built with bricks imported from Belgium. enjoyable and informative day.

^""W w% p

Abandoned coke ovens, Lille, Alberta. Coke oven brick imported from Belgium and reassembled at Lille, Alberta. Note numbers. HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP

Field trip talk given by J.H. Carpenter to members of Canadian Nature Federation Conference, July, 1982.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Porcupine Hills, Alberta.

10 The Region The topographic map (Figure 3) and air-photo (Figure 2) indicate the plateau or table land that stretches north The Porcupine Hills are not a part of the Rocky Moun westward from the jump site. They also give some idea of tain foothills. Rather, they are part of the Great Central the enormous size of this complex which covers some 25 Plains, as shown in Figure 1. The buffalo jump is on the square miles. southern tip of this Alberta Syncline which extends north The east-west watershed appears to be in conflict with ward almost to the Banff-Calgary highway. the north-south valleys or basins of this area. This pheno The sub-strata are mainly upper Cretaceous and ter menon is caused by the washout of glacial melt waters tiary sediments; sandstone and shales which you will see as where the great Laurentide glacier met the valley ice sheets you approach the bottom of the cliff. from the Cordilleran glaciers moving east from the Rocky The surface cover of the Porcupine Hills is mostly rough Mountains. fescue prairie grasses which cure on the upright stem. These grasses are more tolerant to winter grazing and less All of the above features together with the nearness to tolerant to summer grazing. running water and an ample supply of fuel made ideal winter The south-central portion of the Porcupine Hills has a grazing for animals and an ideal habitat for Native hunters. higher average frequency of the mild Chinook winds than There are hundreds and hundreds of old campsites in the adjacent plains. This results in more open grassland in this south-central region of the Porcupine Hills. Other major the winter months, a situation which is confirmed by satellite jump sites are the Schaeffer and Pincher Creek sites to the photographs of the region. Mean average rainfall is 18" west. North of here are the Trout Creek, Boneyard Coulee, annually. Nanton, and Old Woman's jump sites.

Rocky Mountains Foothills Plains Porcupine Cypress Lethbridge Hills Hills

Sweetgrasi~A7cT A'berta Syncline W

FIGURE 1 Simplified cross-sectional sketch of southern Alberta showing the basic structural features of this part of the province. The vertical dimension is greatly exaggerated. Adapted from Beaty (1975), used with permission of the author.

The Buffalo Drive Kill Site and Camp Site The basins or valleys made ideal gathering and grazing Both sites are perfectly situated in the complex. The places for the buffalo and it was from these that hunters prevailing wind in this area is westerly. The stench of the kill would start to drive the animals toward the cliffs. Hundreds site and the smell of blood did not reach the buffalo in the of people would be involved in the drive. There would be gathering basins north and west of the jump, nor were the women and children, the young and the old, all would line camp sites directly south of the kill site affected to any great the higher ground in a giant 'V formation with the open end degree. When I first came to this site in the late 1930s the either side of the herd in the basin and the vertex at the cliff springhead which can be seen clearly as a rift at the centre of face. Some 'V formations would be two to three miles in the cliff was flowing freely with sufficient water to form a length. When this 'V was in place the warriors would com small pond on the bench below. mence gathering and driving the herd and when the herd was started in the right direction the people lining the 'V would shout and wave brush or skin blankets to move the buffalo ever faster until at last they were stampeded over the cliff. The places where people should stand in this rough 'V formation were often marked with a rock, a cairn of small rocks, or flat rocks on top of each other. These markers we now call 'drive lanes'. Drive lanes are delineated as large black dots on the topographical map (Figure 3).

11 FIGURE 2 Aerial photograph of the Porcupine Hills, courtesy of Alberta Department of Lands and Forests.

The Name Another legend is attributed to Mrs. Gladstone, widow of Senator James Gladstone of the Blood Reserve: The name is legendary. The best known story is attrib A young warrior was chosen to lead the buffalo uted to a former North Piegan Chief, Chief John Yellow- herd toward the cliff. On nearing the cliff, with the horn: stampeding buffalo in full flight behind him, the warrior's horse became frightened and refused to A young man, curious to see the jump in operation, turn. The lead buffalo knocked both horse and climbed up and sheltered himself close to the cliff rider over the cliff. Before the other warriors could face. The bodies of the falling buffalo, killed or rescue him many buffalo had gone over the cliff and crippled by the fall, piled higher and higher until the young man was found with his head smashed in. they crushed the young man against the cliff. When the women of the tribe came to do the butchering Undoubtedly many names have been given to this 5,500 they found him with his head crushed by the weight year old jump but have been forgotten with the passing of of buffalo. the centuries.

12 The History used a dragline to go down to bedrock and dug a trench at right angles to the cliff face. This trench was about 10 feet The first written reference to this jump was probably wide and ran back from the cliff for about 60 feet. made by George M. Dawson of the Geological Survey of Canada when he came west under contract to the Domin It was not until 1968 that the Provincial Government ion Government in the early 1880s. From this time, 1884, became interested in this site. This was the year they when Dawson's notes were filed, until 1972 no essays had acquired 15.23 acres through the efforts of John Erickson, been published on this site although it was visited by at least who at this time was superintendent of parks in southern three archaeologists prior to 1960. Junius Bird visited the Alberta. The site was fenced and policed by the Provincial site in the late 1930s and mentioned it in one of his reports of Parks Department for the next decade. 1939. Boyd Wettlaufer came here in 1949 sponsored by the During this time changes in government brought about University of New Mexico. He excavated to a depth of 12 the Alberta Heritage Act of 1973. This Act was subsequently feet. All notes and artifacts were taken across the border revised and renamed the Alberta Historical Resources Act. and nothing published for the people of this area. Dr. The Act is administered by the Minister of Culture and a Richard G. Forbis of the University of Calgary visited the site in 1958 and I suspect that one of the results of his visit number of agencies were set up to deal with specific provi was the archaeological investigation conducted a short time sions of the legislation. One of these agencies is the later by his student, B.O.K. Reeves. Brian Reeves com Archaeological Survey of Alberta and this agency now has menced archaeological excavations here in 1965 supported the responsibility of this site. by the Glenbow Foundation and the University of Calgary. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump was named a World His work continued in 1966 and he returned again in 1972. Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, In 1966 the Geological Survey of Canada came here to and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage study the bedrock stratigraphy at the site. To do this they Committee at a meeting in Australia in October, 1981.

Figure 3 *^5 Broken Land*

••"•Peigon Reserve Boundary

•*•" Perimeter of Gathering Botin • • • Known Drive Lanes W Drive Direction A Tributary Bosins

fyttSffinjyjBf^i !f ? ltd

FIGURE 3 Head-Smashed-In gathering basin, jump, and campsite. Adapted from Reeves (1978), used with permission of the author.

13 Archaeological History Now that it has been named a World Heritage Site it is hoped that Alberta Culture will realize that well over 40,000 Dr. Brian O.K. Reeves, an archaeological consultant cubic feet of Head-Smashed-In has been utterly destroyed and a professor in the Department of Archaeology at the and not issue any further permits to dig on this site until such University of Calgary, has established the date of this site at time as those artifacts already recovered have been cata about 3600 B.C. His work has led him to the assumption logued and mounted for public viewing (preferably in the that the site has been in almost continual use for the past area of the site) and that the data already gained are prop 5,500 years. erly analyzed and the results published in books easily Brian Reeves has charted his time sequence from 1850 accessible to the public. A.D., a date that appears to be about the last time that it was used. (The last herd of wild buffalo was shot on the Alberta- Saskatchewan border in 1885. The horse appeared in this area around 1730 A.D.). BIBLIOGRAPHY More than fifteen pits were dug during the time Reeves spent investigating this site. The major ones were along the Beaty, Chester B. base of the cliff and numerous test pits were excavated on 1975. The Landscapes of Southern Alberta: A the plains below the jump to establish the campsites. Regional Geomorphology. Department of Geo Dates were established by comparing the soil horizons graphy, The University of Lethbridge. with known and dated soil horizons; by comparing the Bird, Junius artifacts with similar artifacts from other date-established 1939. Artifacts in Canadian river terraces. Science sites; and by the carbon-dating of bone fragments. Many 89(2311):340-341. pits were excavated to bedrock. The deepest pit was 34 feet and at this depth a 50 foot block of sandstone was encoun Dawson, George Mercer tered which apparently fell from the cliff in about 3600 B.C. 1885. Report on the region of the vicinity of the Bow and forming the terrace at the base of the cliff. Belly River, Northwest Territory. Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada, Report of Artifacts Progress, 1882-1883-1884:1 C-l 69C. Massive quantities of bone, hair, manure, horn sheaths, Reeves, Brian O.K. and hooves were encountered in the early digging of the pits 1978. Head-Smashed-In: 5500 years of bison jumping in and decreased somewhat as the pits were dug deeper. Bone the Alberta plains. Plains Anthropologist, Vol. 23, found just above the bedrock at the 34 foot level was carbon No. 82, Part 2, Memoir 14:151-174. dated at 3710 B.C. ±100 years. At the kill site the artifacts consisted of projectile points, biface knives, scrapers, flaked choppers, cobbles, mauls, anvils, and numerous pieces of flaked quartzite and chert. At the campsites were found hearths, boiling pits, fire- cracked rock, butchered bone as well as the points, knives, scrapers and choppers usually associated with early camp life.

Comments Amateur collectors have dug out thousands and thou sands of artifacts over the past hundred years. Some of these artifacts are still in private collections; others have been lost or destroyed. The professional collectors-archaeologists, geologists, and anthropologists-have accepted public grant money and used it for field work. They too have recovered thousands of artifacts. Through lack of foresight or neglect there was little or no money left after the field work for analysis or the publication or display of their work. The artifacts and their field notes now lie forgotten in the dust of government or university archives, much of them even now lost or mis placed. It is estimated that the amateur collectors have des troyed some 5,000 cubic feet of the jump site. The geologists have destroyed another 19,500 cubic feet and the archaeol ogists a further 15,700 cubic feet. For all this massive destruction and the grants of public money, the general public has been compensated by only a representative display of artifacts (donated by amateur col lectors) now in the Fort Museum at Fort Macleod and by a twenty-three page summary report published by Dr. Reeves in the Plains Anthropologist, Memoir 14, 1978.

14 ALBERTA'S FIRST NATURAL GAS WELLSITE* by John H. Brumley

*EDITOR'S NOTE: The archaeological research reported by John (verbal communication only) it appears that in all instances Brumley was sponsored by PanCanadian Petro the crews conducting the work were not aware of the exist leum Limited and conducted in compliance with the ence of the first well and thus did not make any attempt to provisions of Alberta Culture Archaeological Re search Permit 79-150. Permission by PanCanadian locate it. Petroleum Limited to publish this report is gratefully When PanCanadian began researching this original gas acknowledged. discovery through existing records, they were able to pre cisely locate the second wellsite which on the surface pres PROJECT BACKGROUND ently consists of a small steel plate over the cemented casing and located approximately 10 centimetres below the sur Introduction rounding ground surface (Figure 2). The limited and unsup ported documentation available indicated the first well was In the summer of 1979 the writer was contacted by Mr. located "eight feet from" the second well. C.T. Webb of PanCanadian Petroleum Limited and com missioned to conduct archaeological investigations at the Using this information, PanCanadian Petroleum Lim site of the first natural gas discovery within Alberta. The ited engaged Chemical and Geological Laboratories Ltd. location of this discovery is adjacent to the present railway during 1978 to collect soil samples in the vicinity of the siding of Alderson (Figure 1). Mr. Webb informed the writer second wellsite in the hope of obtaining chemical data which that PanCanadian Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of Can would assist in locating the original well. In the course of this adian Pacific Railways, had undertaken extensive archival sampling, two 30 centimetre (12 inch) diameter auger holes research on the history of this first gas discovery. Mr. Webb were excavated 4.3 metres (14 feet) and 6.7 metres (22 feet) indicated that although his research had narrowed down the respectively east of the metal plate covering the second location of the original natural gas well to within a few feet, wellsite (Figure 4). In both locations, the auger struck large its precise location was not known. The task of the writer charred wooden timbers at a depth of approximately 45 to was to direct archaeological investigations intended to 55 centimetres below the surface. The conclusion reached locate and identify this original well. as a result of this augering was that the charred beams probably represented either the remains of the original drill rig destroyed by fire or the well cellar. It was at this point that PanCanadian decided to retain an archaeologist to confirm Site History this conclusion and to locate precisely the original well. In November 1883 a CPR construction crew began drilling a water well adjacent to what was then known as Langevin, a siding located at mile 695.1 along the mainline of the CPR in the Crowfoot section, approximately 53 kilo metres (33 miles) northwest of Medicine Hat (Lavallee ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS 1974:298). By early December 1883 drilling had as yet not encountered an adequate water supply. However, at a Research Objectives depth of 341 metres (1,120 feet) a highly flammable colorless The objectives of our investigations were to locate and and odorless gas had been encountered. Drilling on the well identify the first gas wellsite drilled in what later became the continued until the first week in January 1884 when the gas province of Alberta accidentally ignited and completely destroyed the drill rig. Shortly after this accident, a second well was drilled near the first using natural gas from the first well to fire the boiler of Site Description the rig used to drill the second well. The second well was During the course of our investigation, the locality of the completed during 1884 and subsequently used to power a first and second gas wells was assigned archaeological site water pump and later to fire the cooking and heating stoves number EbOu-1 (Borden 1952). in the section house. Natural gas from the well was later Alderson is situated in an area of level to gently rolling extended to other railway buildings on the right-of-way. shortgrass prairie with surficial deposits consisting of glacial By 1910 a town then known as Carlstadt was growing ground moraine and hummocky moraine (McPherson up around the original Langevin siding. During World War I, 1972). No prominent hills, coulee systems or other promi the name Carlstadt was changed to Alderson by which the nent topographic features are present in the area (Plate 1). locality is still known. Although the town of Alderson pres At present Alderson consists of a railroad siding along the ently consists of only a few building foundations and cellar mainline of the CPR. Adjacent to the north side of the siding, pits, at its zenith in the 1920s, it boasted a population of the CPR currently has a small bunkhouse, an outhouse and 3,000. a small toolshed. The small steel plate covering the casing In the early 30s, the second gas wellsite at Alderson was over the second wellsite is situated 14.8 feet south of the abandoned by the CPR. However, this and subsequent southeast corner of the bunkhouse (Figure 2). This area abandonment attempts proved inadequate until 1954 when adjacent to the north side of the rail line was previously the well was abandoned using modern techniques. Although occupied by a temporary station and section foreman's information concerning these abandonments is limited, house; and probably several other structures.

15 TI5

T. 14

FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 Location of Site EbOu-1 within southern Alberta. Plan view of Site EbOu-1.

The original townsite was located to the south of the rail adjacent and parallel to one another and to the railway track line and, although not closely examined in the course of our (Figures 2, 3; Plates 1,2). A 20 centimetre thick unexca- work, consists of a few remaining building foundations in vated balk was left along the south boundary of Test Pits 6 to addition to one partially collapsed wooden structure. 10 in order to retain a stratigraphic profile between the two rows of pits. As excavation proceeded, additional contigu Excavation and Recording Procedures ous one metre square test pits were established to the north (Test Pits 11, 12) and west (Test Pits 13-16). The writer initially examined the site on September 18, 1979, accompanied by C.T. Webb of PanCanadian Petro Initially excavation involved removal of a series of 5 leum Limited. At that time, Mr. Webb pointed out the steel centimetre thick arbitrary levels by shovel shaving and plate over the second wellsite as well as the two auger holes screening. Simultaneously we cleaned the loose fill from the dug by Chemical and Geological Laboratories Ltd. It was two auger holes dug in 1978 and examined the exposed decided at that time to begin examinations in the area of the stratigraphy. In this manner we rapidly determined that charred wooden beams encountered in digging the auger from present ground surface to an average depth of 50 holes. centimetres below surface there was a series of at least five Actual excavations were initiated at the site on Sep distinct and culturally derived stratigraphic units. The basal tember 26,1979 and continued intermittently until October cultural unit consists of a faint occupational surface, desig 15,1979 under the writer's direction and with a crew varying nated Unit 5, and characterized by numerous charred and in size from one to four individuals. Initially, ten one metre uncharred wood fragments; fire-reddened earth; and other square test pits were laid out in two rows of five pits each historic items.

16 * I * i i |:| i~~< | -i ; i * ^

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PLATE 1 General view of EbOu-1. Looking northeast from wooden toolshed.

PLATE 2 View of excavated test pits.

17 S E. Corner, Bunkhouse M.N.

T.P 12

T.P. II

T.RI5 T.RI6 T.P6 T.R7 T.R8 T.R9 T.P. 10

20 cm Balk

® Second Wellsite T.PI4 T.P. 13 T.RI T.R2 T.R3 T.R4 T.P. 5 Coverplate

Drawn by J. Andreas.

FIGURE 3 Plan of excavated Test Pits.

It seemed highly probable that Unit 5, because of its Cultural and Natural Stratigraphy position in the stratigraphic sequence and the presence of quantities of charred cultural material, related to the Stratigraphic units observed at EbOu-1 were desig recorded burning of the drilling rig in 1884. The overlying nated Units 1 to 7 beginning with the uppermost or most stratigraphic units can, as we shall discuss, be interpreted in recent unit first and proceeding for the most part sequen relation to what we know of the subsequent history of the tially downward in the profile and back through time. Fig site. After we had obtained this initial impression of strati ures 4 and 5 and Plates 3 to 5 illustrate various aspects of graphy at the site, we subsequently simply stripped off all stratigraphy discussed here. The reader is advised to fre materials to within a few centimetres of the top of Unit 5 quently consult these stratigraphic illustrations in order to without examining it. Aside from a few small items removed better comprehend the following discussion. to expose underlying objects, material within Unit 5 was all Unit 6 is a light gray clay subsoil forming the basal carefully exposed in situ and mapped in place (Figure 4; stratigraphic deposit encountered at the site. Throughout Plates 4, 5). Excavated materials were not screened. At the Test Pits 1 to 12, Unit 6 was encountered as an essentially conclusion of excavation of Unit 5 with materials still in level surface at a depth of from 30 to 45 cm below surface. place, the exposed surface was covered by plastic sheeting Within Test Pits 13 to 16, Unit 6 was encountered from a and backfilled. Excavation within Test Pit 12 was limited to minimum depth of 38 cm below surface along the margins of stripping off materials to within a few centimetres above the four pits to a maximum of 80 cm near the centre of the Unit 5. Unit 5 was not exposed in Test Pit 12. four pits. In these four test pits, Unit 6 formed the vertical to

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21 steeply sloping walls of an excavated pit centered around a In the course of excavating the various test pits, a circular cement plug (Figure 4, Plate 4). In Figure 5 and Plate minimum of six veins of concrete from approximately 1 5, only a small lateral portion of the edge of this pit is centimetre to a maximum of 6 centimetres thick were indicated by the profile. No cultural material was observed observed, all clearly radiating out from the area above and within Unit 6. beneath the circular concrete plug. When exposed, these Unit 5 consists of a one to two centimetre thick band of veins consisted of thin sheets of concrete bounded on either fire-reddened and black charcoal stained earth immediately side by various soil units. Plate 4 shows a portion of one such above Unit 6 and containing a considerable quantity of exposed vein of concrete adjacent to the concrete plug in partially burned historic items of wood, iron, brass, ceram Pits 13 to 16. Figure 5 and Plate 3 show several concrete ics, leather and stone. Major structural items associated veins in cross-section. These veins cross-cut and are clearly with Unit 5 consist of three approximately 30 cm square intrusive in stratigraphic units 6,5,4, and 3. In two instances wooden beams essentially parallel to one another and these veins were noted to terminate at the interface oriented approximately at a right angle to the rail line (Figure between Units 2 and 3. The most logical interpretation of 4). Within Test Pits 14 to 16, Unit 5 was absent over the these concrete veins is that they reflect liquid concrete excavated central pit and where present along its margins, extruded under pressure through cracks in the soil. The Unit 5 was up to 15 cm thick. concrete veins radiate out from the area of the concrete Unit 4 is a light gray clayish subsoil very similar if not plug in Test Pits 13 to 16. Some of this vein concrete was identical to materials comprising Unit 6. Unit 4 was present present in the fill of the pit above the plug indicating the fill discontinuously through Test Pits 13 to 16 but elsewhere was in place when the concrete was extruded. The strati appeared consistently as a 10 to 15 cm thick band blanket graphic evidence clearly indicates these intrusive concrete ing Unit 5. A few scattered historic items were observed veins postdate Units 3 through 7. The fact that two veins within Unit 5. terminate at the boundary between Units 2 and 3 suggest Unit 3 is generally very dark gray and composed largely they are contemporary with or predate Unit 2. of coal cinders, a few pebbles, a small quantity of soil and scattered historic metal and glass items. Unit 3 is present as Interpretation of Stratigraphy and Cultural Materials a 10 to 20 cm thick unit throughout Test Pits 1 to 12 but was largely absent in Test Pits 13 to 16. Unit 6 appears to be the original prairie subsoil upon Unit 2 consists of powdered or poorly cemented chunks which subsequent historic materials were deposited. No of concrete and a few scattered pieces of historic material. evidence of a buried soil surface was noted on the surface of Although Unit 2 was observed throughout the tested area, it Unit 6. This may reflect problems in preservation; or, more fluctuated considerably in extent at times appearing only as likely may reflect that the top of Unit 6 was stripped in June a very thin white line less than a centimetre thick; to a of 1883 in the course of railroad construction (Lavallee maximum of 35 cm in vertical extent in the area of Test Pits 1974:89). 13 to 16. Unit 5 represents the first evidence of cultural utilization Unit 1 is a three to ten centimetre thick band of light of the site. The presence of large quantities of charred gray to light brownish gray soil forming the most recent cultural material and the known history of the site strongly stratigraphic unit and containing scattered pieces of historic indicates Unit 5 materials do in fact represent the drill rig material. Unit 1 was present throughout the tested area. destroyed by fire in 1884. Three remaining stratigraphic features require descrip The excavated pit and concrete plug located in Test Pits tion. Previous mention has been made of the pit feature in 13 to 16 are believed to immediately postdate the fire Test Pits 13 to 16 with the roughly circular shaped concrete represented by Unit 5. The concrete plug is interpreted as plug at its bottom. This pit feature was rather poorly defined representing the abandoned original well and it is suggested and it appears its upper portion was disturbed during the that the plug was constructed in 1884 when the well must time interval represented by Unit 2. The bottom of the pit is have been abandoned in order to drill the second well. The represented by the roughly circular concrete plug 85 to 100 piece of pipe located alongside the concrete plug may tie cm in diameter whose surface is located at a depth of 84 cm into the original well and be the means by which gas from the below present ground surface. Extending diagonally away first well was used to fire the boilers of the rig which drilled from the ground immediately adjacent to the concrete plug the second well. Alternately, the pipe may simply have been is a steel pipe with an outside diameter of approximately 6.5 intended as a marker indicating the location of the original cm. The pipe extends upward from the surface of the con well. crete plug for 72 cm. The pipe's end has been crushed shut Unit 7 represents a portion of an excavated pit located and a 1.5 cm diameter hole perforated through it two cen to the west of the concrete plug. Although only a small timetres below the end. The walls of the pit surrounding the portion of Unit 7 was excavated, stratigraphic evidence plug were not clearly defined. However, it is estimated pit suggests it immediately predates or is contemporaneous walls were vertical to insloping and the pit had an estimated with Unit 5. Unit 7 may reflect some sort of sump pit or other diameter of 130 to 140 cm. Pit fill consisted largely of poorly feature associated with the drilling of the original gas well or consolidated light gray clay subsoil intermixed with pieces of possibly the second well. charred historic material and pieces of concrete. Unit 4 consists of a band of clay subsoil atop the burned Unit 7 appears to reflect the fill of an excavated pit material comprising Unit 5. Since Unit 4 contains very little encountered along the extreme west portions of Test Pits 14 cultural material, I suspect it represents fill intentionally and 15 (see right margin of Figure 5). Unit 7 consists of a transported in to clean up and cover over the burned matrix of light gray clay containing numerous pieces of remains around the original well. The good preservation of charred wood and cinders. Unit 7 is stratigraphically materials within Unit 5 suggest deposition of Unit 4 took beneath Unit 5 and apparently either predates or is contem place very shortly after the fire and possibly even before poraneous with that unit. drilling of the second well.

22 PLATE 4 View of Test Pits 13 to 16 showing concrete plug and large wooden beam. Trowel points north.

• ,••'.»,. •>•"•» PLATE 5 Exposed burn floor in portion of Test Pits 6 to 11 showing nature of cultural material present. Trowel points north.

23 Unit 3 consists largely of coal cinders, a few stone Recommendations pebbles and scattered historic items. Unit three is inter preted as reflecting the slow accumulation of debris along This project was essentially research oriented and as the rail line during the era of coalburning locomotives such mitigative recommendations are not relevant. How extending from the 1880s to 1954 when diesel electric units ever, the writer would like to briefly comment here on the had almost completely replaced steam locomotives along heritage resource significance of the site and to make cer this section of the CPR mainline (Bain 1979:17). tain recommendations concerning any future developments Unit 2 consists primarily of concrete fragments and in the immediate site area. powder concentrated largely in the area of Test Pits 13 to 16 Considering the recent economic, social and political but also present in lesser amounts throughout the tested significance of oil and natural gas development in the pro area. Unit 2 is interpreted as debris deposited in 1954 during vince of Alberta and in Canada as a whole, the discovery of the abandonment of the second well. The fact that Unit 2 natural gas at site EbOu-1 in 1884 represents an event of was most concentrated in the tested area closest to the major historic significance. The initial construction and use second well further supports this conclusion. Within Test of such sites as Fort Walsh, Fort Whoop-Up and Fort Pits 13 to 16, Unit 2 has its greatest vertical extent (Figure 5) Macleod represent major landmark events in the historic and it would appear that portions of Units 3, 4, and 5 were development of western Canada. As a result, the actual destroyed in that area in the course of events which led to location of these and other sites of similar historic signifi the deposition of Unit 2. cance are considered of major heritage resource signifi cance warranting their protection, preservation and in cer Stratigraphic evidence previously discussed strongly tain situations, public development. From this perspective, suggests that the concrete veins observed were produced at the writer views EbOu-1 as being of similar major heritage the same time as Unit 2. Apparently in the process of resource significance and to warrant careful consideration abandonment, concrete forced under pressure down the in relation to any future developments in the area. second well found its way up along the bore of the first well and then out laterally and upwards in all directions through cracks in the soil which clearly originate from the area around the concrete plug. Interviews with personnel con ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ducting the abandonment of the second well indicate they did not know of the presence of the first well (M.M. Gulless, Financial support and stimulus for this research was Personal Communication 1980) suggesting this process provided by PanCanadian Petroleum Limited. took place without their knowledge. Karen Elliot, Dennis Kaupp, Pierre Longval, Stanley Unit 1 is a light brown clay soil forming the present Saylor, Deirdre Swan, Pamela Van Winkle and Brian Zook surface deposits at the site. Unit 1 was probably deposited assisted at various times as fieldworkers at the site during after the abandonment of the second well in 1954. Unit 1 excavations. Karen Elliott directed fieldwork on those occa probably reflects fill transported in and intentionally spread sions when the writer was not present. Janice Andreas over the area. drafted illustrations while Laurie Milne Brumley and Evelyn Paccagnan typed this report. Mr. C.T. Webb and Ms. M.M. Gulless of PanCanadian Petroleum Limited supervised our work on behalf of Pan- Canadian and, based on their archival research, provided in DISCUSSION AND conversation with the writer the bulk of the historic back RECOMMENDATIONS ground information presented on the site. Results of Archaeological Investigations Archaeological investigations conducted at EbOu-1 BIBLIOGRAPHY were intended to locate and identify the site of the first natural gas discovery within the province of Alberta. The Bain, D.M. location of areas to be excavated in search of this well were 1969. Canadian Pacific in the Rockies. Vol. 3. selected on the basis of available historic documentation. Calgary. Excavations revealed a concrete plug which appears to represent an abandoned well; and a number of associated Borden, Charles E. cultural features and stratigraphic units. The apparent close 1952. A Uniform Site Designation Scheme For Canada. correspondence between excavated materials and historic Anthropology inBritish Columbia. Vol. 3. Pp. 44 48. information available on the site indicates that the concrete plug almost certainly marks the well in which natural gas Canadian Pacific Railway was first discovered in what later became the province of 1892. Annotated Time Table. Reprint facsimile by Alberta. A large quantity of charred cultural material was Railfare Enterprises Limited. Montreal. recorded which is apparently contemporaneous with the Lavallee, Omer concrete plug and which is believed to represent the 1974. Van Horn's Road. Railfare Enterprises Limited. remains of the drill rig destroyed by fire in the course of Montreal. drilling operations in 1884. This charred material is very plentiful and well preserved; and suggests that more exten McPherson, R.A. sive excavations would yield considerable data of interpre 1972. Surficial Geology, Medicine Hat, N. T.S. 72L. tive value on the nature of the drilling operation conducted Research Council of Alberta map, scale, 1:250,000. at the site. Edmonton.