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Excavating at Bodo
Madison Penman (left) and Iris Larson (right) from central Alberta excavating at Bodo.
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Rose Bennett, from Mayne Island, BC., about to uncover the bison bonebed at Bodo.
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Trevor and Meeghan Ford from Wainwright, Alberta showing off an ancient arrowhead that they just uncovered.
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Ancient pottery fragments found at the Bodo Site. The pottery found at Bodo was made from local clay and formed and decorated by hand.
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A 500 year old arrowhead being excavated at the Bodo Site.
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The excavated remains of several butchered bison that were hunted communally at Bodo 500 years ago by the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area.
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Get up close and personal with the majestic bison while visiting a local bison ranch. Bison were the primary food source for people living on the Alberta Plains for over 10,000 years.
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After a day of excavation, spend the night in a tipi under the stars.
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Daphne Culley (left) and Lis Bianco (right), sisters from BC, will be returning to Bodo for their third time to continue to work with archaeologists at the site.
By Christie Grekul
While off the beaten path, a hidden gem in east-central Alberta, the Bodo Archaeology Centre and Site is sure to please the whole family. Located only three hours east of Edmonton and one hour south of Wainwright, Alberta, the Bodo Archaeological Centre and Site has thrilling line-up of summer adventures that will take you back in time for an experience you won’t soon forgot.
Imagine being able to spend four days digging for artifacts and experience hands-on excavation of a well-preserved bison bone bed, which represents the remains of bison and a 500 year old Aboriginal hunting culture. The Bodo Archaeological Site is one of the largest archaeological sites in Alberta, inhabited during the past 5000 years by Aboriginal peoples who both hunted and camped in this unique area of stabilized sand dunes on the Alberta Plains. Under the guidance of a professional archaeologist, you can find, identify and log artifacts including butchered bison bone, clay pottery, stone tools and arrowheads.
This excavation project is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking for a unique outdoor experience. Participants will enhance their understanding of the history of the Canadian Plains, First Nations history, and the science of archaeology. The Bodo Site is critical in Alberta’s prehistory and with the participation of people like you, it has provided large amounts of data that has helped to further the understanding of the communal bison hunting culture that dominated the Alberta Plains and Parkland regions during the last 10,000 years of human history in Alberta. This camp focuses on fieldwork, but no previous excavation experience is required. Opportunities to participate in this project are limited. Available 2013 dates include: May 27-30, June 1-4, 17-20, and July 4-7, 8-11, 22-25 and August 8-11, 12-15. Book now and be sure not to miss out on this amazing, one of a kind experience.
There are other options if you just want to visit the archaeological center and the dig site to view the archaeological dig in process and even children’s camps – or camp overnight in a tipi, look for plentiful wildlife and visit a local bison ranch. Daily guided tours are around two hours long and include a visit to the interpretive center, a working archaeological laboratory, and the archaeological excavation. Groups can contact Bodo Archaeological Centre to inquire about special group visits or other interests like culinary tourism (tasting bison and other traditional delicacies), visiting historic sites in the region (like rural churches or an ancient bison rubbing stone) or just wanting special events or other opportunities customized to their needs for this experiential opportunity.
New this summer, the Bodo Sands Traditional Plant Hike will provide visitors with a unique view of the landscape that surrounds the archaeological site. You can join their local expert in the Bodo Sand Hills to learn about the traditional plants that Aboriginal peoples and early European settlers used for thousands of years as sources of nutrients, to cure illnesses, and for ceremonial purposes. Before pharmacies were available on every street corner people relied solely on these natural resources. This tour includes sampling delicious organic products made from native prairie plants.
The Bodo Archaeological Centre will also be hosting the "3rd Annual Archaeology Week: Archaeology & Traditional Aboriginal Skills” during the week of June 23 to 28, 2013 in Bodo, Alberta. A variety of archaeology-based educational opportunities, workshops, tours, kids activities, and guest lectures will be offered to the public including the 12th Annual Open House on Sunday, June 23, 2013. Archaeology Week events are mostly free of charge, so be sure to check their website for more details.
Visit Bodo today and step back in time. Unearth the remains of a 500-year-old bison pound and discover artifacts that have been untouched and unseen for hundreds of years. Imagine yourself living off the land as people in the past did. Sample some locally grown bison, enjoy fresh saskatoons and gooseberries, take a bite of prickly pear cactus, or just be astonished by the quiet tranquility of the Alberta Plains while sleeping in a tipi under the stars. Bodo is a weekend trip from Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon and a great stop on any road trip. The local Bodo Campground is full service with water and power hookups for RV’s and hot showers. The Bodo Archaeological Centre and Site is open daily from May 1 to August 31, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm & weekends 10 am to 2 pm and year round by appointment. They look forward to seeing you in 2013.
P: 780.753.6353
W. www.bodoarchaeology.com & www.buffaloadventures.ca
Or find them on Facebook (search “Bodo Archaeological Society”)
Christie Grekul is the Senior Project Archaeologist at the Bodo Archaeological Center and Site