Where were buffalo jumps located? What happened at a buffalo jump? Why did the native Americans use buffalo jumps? What can you find at a buffalo jump if you go to look around?

Dr. dig responds:
A buffalo jump was a cliff or steep bank over which herds of buffalo were driven to their deaths. Native Americans then carved up the valuable carcasses for food, and skinned the animals for their hides and fur.

Suitable jump locations were surprisingly rare and thus were used repeatedly. The famous Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump near Fort Macleod in Alberta Canada was in use from at least 5,600 years ago until the mid 1800's. As a result, the lowest bone layers at the base of the cliff are now at a depth of over 30 feet below ground surface.

Drive lines were made to direct the herds to the jump. The drive lines were rows of rock piles known as "dead men". These were arranged like a funnel; the rows were wide apart at the prairie end and gradually narrowed toward the jump end. Hunters lying behind the "dead men" rock piles would spring up and wave robes to frighten the animals and keep them inside the funnel. At Head-Smashed-In, the drive lines extended up to 8 miles from the jump itself.

The most famous buffalo jump is at a place called Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump. Yes, that really is its name! This important archaeological site is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. You can find out more on the web at www.head-smashed-in.com/home.html

For a map showing the distribution of other buffalo jumps in the United States and Canada go to: parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/unesco/HEAD/Headmap_e.htm

For information about buffalo hunting in general, you will want to go to the website for the Provoncial Museum of Alberta at www.pma.edmonton.ab.ca/human/archaeo/aspects/buffalo.htm