Hand Hills archeological information

The Hand Hills region in Alberta holds significant archaeological and historical interest, reflecting a deep Indigenous presence and a complex geological history.

Indigenous and Archaeological Context:

• The Hand Hills area has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples for approximately 10,000 years, dating back to the retreat of the glaciers^[1].
• Archaeological evidence includes tipi rings within what is now the Hand Hills Ecological Reserve, indicating long-term use of the area by Plains cultures^[1].
• Despite the presence of Pleistocene gravels containing chert and agate, studies show little evidence that these gravels were widely used for tool-making by Indigenous groups. The chert/agate nodules in Hand Hills are generally small and friable, and most archaeological sites in the area are dominated by other materials like quartzite^[2].
• The broader archaeological context of the Northern Plains, including Hand Hills, fits within established regional sequences: from Early Prehistoric (big game hunters), through Middle and Late Prehistoric periods, to the Historic era. These periods are characterized by changes in projectile point technology and subsistence patterns, reflecting adaptation to shifting environmental conditions^[3].

Geological and Material Resources:

• The Hand Hills are geologically notable, capped by Tertiary gravel beds and underlain by marl and clays. The marl, up to 25 feet thick in places, is primarily composed of calcite and dolomite, likely precipitated from groundwater. This marl has been considered for agricultural lime but is not known to have been a major prehistoric resource^[4].
• The gravel capping is thought to have protected the hills from glacial erosion, preserving the unique landscape^[4].

Ecological and Cultural Significance:

• The region is characterized by Northern Fescue grasslands, among the largest remaining stretches of this ecosystem globally^[1].
• The Hand Hills Ecological Reserve, established in 1997, protects both the grasslands and archaeological features like tipi rings, ensuring ongoing conservation of both natural and cultural heritage^[1][5].

Summary Table: Archaeological Features of Hand Hills

Aspect	Details
Indigenous occupation	~10,000 years, evidenced by tipi rings and long-term land use[1]
Toolstone use	Little evidence of local chert/agate gravels being used; quartzite more common[2]
Geological resources	Tertiary gravels, marl (calcite, dolomite), clays; marl used for agriculture in modern era[4]
Key archaeological periods	Early Prehistoric (big game hunters), Middle/Late Prehistoric, Historic[3]
Conservation status	Hand Hills Ecological Reserve established to protect grasslands and archaeological sites[1][5]

The Hand Hills thus represent a landscape of both archaeological depth and ecological rarity, with ongoing efforts to balance conservation and sustainable land use.

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• https://albertaancestors.ca/books/b0129-hand-hills-heritage/      
• https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/3cb39eb9-c1d4-4c70-b5a9-294fee663769/resource/f0c2a7ef-2508-4c85-a43c-47bf289e1376/download/swing-of-things-knife-river-flint-2018.pdf  
• https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/085e4720-7f8b-4b59-931a-6e78e3542a41/resource/4e4da70d-8c75-4484-a72e-18f7931d082c/download/occasional26-plainsprehistory-1985.pdf  
• https://ags.aer.ca/publications/all-publications/ofr-1974-36   
• https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/central/hand-hills-er/