Description of Historic Place

The Herschel Petroglyph/Tipi Ring site is a Municipal Heritage Property that occupies 64 hectares of land along the Eagle Creek valley near the Town of Herschel. The site’s most prominent features are three boulders with precontact carvings (petroglyphs) of grooves, cup-shaped depressions and bisected circles. Additional archaeological remains include artifact and butchered bone deposits, hearths, a buffalo rubbing stone, tipi rings and other stone features.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Herschel Petroglyph/Tipi Ring site resides in its associations with precontact bison hunting. The petroglyphs’ stylistic forms, which are associated with Siouan speakers and bison ceremonialism, express the esoteric aspects of the hunt. The related archaeological sites illustrate the practical techniques of bison hunting and processing, and speak to the importance of this activity in the everyday lives of precontact First Nations.

The site is also valued as a place of spiritual significance and source of pride for contemporary First Nations. It is an expression of cultural identity and a place where Elders can transmit traditional knowledge to younger generations.

Source:

Rural Municipality of Mountain View No. 318 Bylaw No. P38/88.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Herschel Petroglyph/Tipi Ring site resides in the following character defining elements:
-the undisturbed site area in its natural setting;
-the three petroglyph boulders in their original location with their carvings and related artifact deposits;
-the associated campsite remains and stone feature sites, especially any cultural objects or features in their original locations;
-use of the site by First Nations Elders for teaching traditional knowledge and oral history.