(Submitted Photo/Wanuskewin Heritage Park)

By Derek Craddock

HISTORIC DISCOVERY

Thousand-year-old petroglyphs discovered at Wanuskewin

Nov 19, 2021 | 4:00 PM

The actions of bison is being credited with a major archaeological find in Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

On Friday, park founder Dr. Ernie Walker announced the discovery of four boulders with prehistoric carvings known as petroglyphs along with a tool used to carve them.

(Submitted Photo/Wanuskewin Heritage Park)

In 2019, bison were reintroduced to their traditional lands, now Wanuskewin Heritage Park, after more than 150 years as part of a $40-million project that included conservation efforts to repopulate bison across North America.

In a release, Walker said that as some bison were rolling in the grass and creating dust pits last year, they uncovered a patch of a submerged boulder.

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Walker realized the find was a petroglyph, an image carved or abraded in rock. While Walker and his team were excavating around the petroglyph, they found the stone knife that was used to carve the drawings.

The team also uncovered three more petroglyphs of different shapes, sizes and designs, including one bearing the scratched marks of a Ribstone, which is found in Hoofprint Tradition rock art and associated with bison hunts.

The petroglyphs are estimated to date back anywhere between 300 and 1,800 years.

“The discovery of these petroglyphs is a testament to just how sacred and important this land is,” said Darlene Brander, CEO of Wanuskewin Heritage Park. “The individual who made these petroglyphs was actually carving their legacy into the rock many years ago.”

The first stone found is currently on display in the Interpretive centre.

“We have been so fortunate over the years to have had these wondrous stories emerge that we are able to share with the community,” said Brander. “Today it is our duty to share this story as our call to reconciliation by shining a light on the distinct and beautiful cultures of the Northern Plains People.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Walker and his fellow researchers, the site is distinguished as Canada’s longest-running archaeological dig, and has produced nearly 200,000 artifacts, including teeth, bones, tools, pottery, shells, charcoal, and seeds. Many of the finds predate the ruins of Rome and the pyramids of Egypt.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock