Efforts underway for declaration of protected area (SE Alberta Archaeological Society image)

By Brian Konrad

Site could predate fur trade in this area

Archaeological society looking to protect pristine example of early people in Medicine Hat

Mar 2, 2022 | 12:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT — With much of the cultural features of previous civilizations now buried under modern subdivisions, the South Eastern Alberta Archaeological society is taking steps to preserve one of the few remaining traces of people who lived in this area long before it was settled.

A grass fire in October of 2017 that swept the upper Burnside area between Medicine Hat and Redcliff, exposed a series of stone arrangements, with members of the society able to identify at least a dozen separate features.

They include stone circles, including what may be a large ceremonial one, as well as several cairns.

The site overlooks the South Saskatchewan River Valley, with the Cypress Hills in the distance.

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The archeological group will be approaching civic and provincial authorities to have it declared a protected area.

That protection is very important says Society president Bruce Shepard.

“Clearly it was important enough for some ancient peoples to move fairly sizeable rocks into different formations,” explains Shepard .

“That had meaning for them and we would like to know more and in order to do that, we need to look after it,” adds Shepard.

The Archaeological Society would like to see appointment of an Indigenous advisory group to help interpret the site, including it’s significance in relation to the Cypress Hills.

“When you have a knowledgeable guide or an elder help you understand what these were and what they were used for” it will preserve that history according to Shepard.

Further out, an archeological dig could help determine the age of the site, which appears to predate Canadian settlement and maybe even the fur trade in the area.

It’s hoped any future plans for the area will include this site, instead of having it destroyed.

The society would also like to see an Indigenous advisory group appointed to help with a new, proper name for the site as well as other issues.