Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump - Historic Places Days

Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump

Fort MacLeod, Alberta
Type
Cultural Heritage Centre
Address
Fort MacLeod, AB, Canada
Get directions
Hours
Open 10:00 am to 5:00 Pm (Closed Mondays after September 5/22)
Phone
403 553 2731

The Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump documents and tells the
story of an ancient hunting technique used by Plains People for thousands of
years. The Plains Buffalo Runners herded the buffalo through a system of drive
lanes then caused the buffalo to stampede over a cliff. A cliff of this nature
is known as a Pis’Kun. This Buffalo Jump produced more food in a single moment
than any other form of communal hunting anywhere in the world.

Head-Smashed-In was used as a Buffalo Jump for almost 6,000
years and is one of the oldest, largest, and best preserved buffalo jumps on
the northwestern plains. This site is older than the Pyramids of Egypt and
Stonehenge.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump was designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1981. The interpretive centre was built underground to blend
into the natural sandstone cliffs. The centre features 5 levels of exhibits, 80
seat movie theatre, 60 seat cafeteria, and gift shop featuring authentic First
Nations arts and crafts.

Located in south western Alberta, Canada, HSIBJ is 90
minutes south of Calgary just west of Highway # 2. The site is open year round.
Visit our web site for current information: https://headsmashedin.ca/

The site itself is situated on the traditional domain of the
Blackfoot speaking people, otherwise known as “Siksikaitsitapiiks”

Today Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is recognized as a
premier Aboriginal tourism destination in western Canada. This world class
interpretive centre is recognized by the Canadian Tourism Commission,
Destination Canada as a Signature Experience member.

Notes from "Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada"

HISTORY: This 10-metre tall cliff was used for over 6,000 years by the indigenous peoples of the plains, whose “buffalo runners” would hunt by driving animals over the edge. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, is older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge, and was in use around 5,800 years ago. According to legend, the site was given its name after a young Blackfoot was found with his skull smashed in after being buried by buffalo at the bottom of the cliff.

VISIT: Today, the site includes an interpretive centre and museum nestled into the natural stone, where visitors can explore five levels of educational exhibits featuring authentic Blackfoot artifacts and modern archeological evidence.

Amenities

  • Family-Friendly
  • National Historic Site
  • Parking
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Washrooms
  • Wheelchair Access

Location

Fort MacLeod, AB, Canada
Get directions

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