Planning Archaeological Research

Because archaeological resources are limited and an archaeological site is permanently altered once it has been excavated, the archaeologist will only dig when it is absolutely necessary. To answer important questions about the human past, the archaeologist first studies historical documents, ethnographic material and previous archaeological research reports to determine whether more information is needed. If excavation is needed to uncover further information, the archaeologist must submit evidence that this preliminary research has been done and show that excavation is necessary.

Archaeological research at Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump has been conducted to assist the provincial government in the development of the interpretive facilities and programming at the site. This research was conducted in addition to, and as a result of, previous historical, ethnographic and archaeological research.

Past historical and ethnographic documents dealing with buffalo hunting provided much needed information of techniques used in killing and processing buffalo. Previous archaeological research at the site indicated the nature and depth of the cultural remains at the buffalo kill site. There remained, however, questions about the Head-Smashed-In site that had to be answered in order to ensure that the site was both protected an interpreted effectively.

It was also discovered during preliminary research that while a great deal of information existed in regard to buffalo hunting, there were few physical descriptions detailing certain processing activities such as bone boiling. Much of the archaeological work, therefore, concentrated on excavation in areas associated with camp activities rather than the killing site itself. The information gleaned from this research was combined with ethnographic and historical information to develop the interpretive themes and displays featured at the site.

Dissemination of Research

Pages of data on litchis and bones do not automatically tell us what we wish to know about the past. It is the archaeologist's task to take the sum total of the information and apply it to solving the research problem. In order for archaeological research to benefit other members of the archaeological community and the general public, these conclusions must be presented in a form readily understood. For fellow archaeologists, the researcher will generally prepare scholarly papers for publication or presentation. These papers are very technical and generally require some background in the field to be readily understood.