Beth Mann shows us archaeology finds at Bodo Archaeology Sites in Alberta (Canada)
I was told that there were rich archaeology digs near Provost, AB. As we got closer, though, all I saw was dry, unassuming land with oilrigs set up. I guess in 1995, an oil company discovered a few items that looked like archaeology finds.
They reported them and since then, archaeologists and students have been digging up the land piece by piece, finding some pretty amazing things. The site is called Bodo Archaeology Dig Sites & Centre.
After getting an orientation from Beth Mann, the on-site archaeologist, we got out in the field and saw the area that they had worked on last. Under the covered glass were tons of archaeology finds right there on the surface.
Beth told us that they were finding things on three different levels: the top level was definitely two different cultural groups, while the deepest is thought to be from 5,000 years ago or more.
Strangely, much of the finds are of pottery, more connected to Saskatchewan digs, so they’re reasoning that the Assiniboine people travelled here, which is unusual.
Discovering archaeology finds at Bodo Archaeology Sites in Alberta (Canada)
The funnest part was driving to a nearby area that had been quite disturbed. This meant that there were artefacts everywhere, which we could “discover.” We found a large tooth, pottery and many parts of tools.
If you’re in the area, every July 1st they hold an open house geared towards families, where visitors can identify found pieces, put together medicine kits and participate in a silent auction. Kids have their own little dig area.
Otherwise, tours are done from May to September, weather permitting (Centre only, $7.00 CAD; Centre and dig site, $15.00 CAD; children’s rates apply). Buffalo Adventures also includes Bodo in some of its tours, which I have been writing about.
What I liked:
- These are live and active archaeology sites. We found actual pieces of bone and material left by people who had been there many years earlier.
- This is a historical site and will be looked back on when historians write about the area and the people who came here.
Copyright 2009 Lori Henry
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