Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Archaeological Field School

Every summer, the University of Lethbridge offers an archaeology field school, giving students hands-on experience in archaeological excavation, survey, laboratory analysis, and material culture processing. Field school is a requirement for archaeology majors, but students from all disciplines are welcome to participate. ARKY 1000 is a prerequisite for students earning course credit.

Field school offers students the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience while earning 9 credits through three 3000-level archaeology courses.

Every second year, the field school is held at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in southern Alberta. The most recent Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Archaeological Field School took place in May 2026, with the next field school at the site planned for 2028.

The Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump archaeological field school is a seven-week, 9-credit program (three third-year courses: ARKY 3000, ARKY 3300, and ARKY 3400).

Prerequisites: Students must have completed ARKY 1000 (Introduction to Archaeology) and preferably one other archaeology course at the 3000-level.

This field school has three main components:

1. A two-week online course to prepare students for the project;
2. Four weeks of excavation at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump; and
3. One week of laboratory work on the cultural materials excavated.

Students will be introduced to the archaeology and history of the northern Great Plains, theoretical methods for approaching North American archaeology, Indigenous archaeologies, and Indigenous consultation. They will gain experience in excavation and survey methods, and field documentation through experiential learning activities. Students will also be introduced to the practical and intellectual challenges presented by field research.

Students will receive further training in laboratory analysis and will have the opportunity to catalogue the cultural remains they found. The broader context of the archaeological finds and the site will be explained through discussions, lectures, and workshops.

Research Objectives of the Project

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is an elaborate hunting complex spread across the landscape where, for at least the past 6500 years, hunters used the natural topography to drive herds of bison off the cliff edge and then process the animals in the vicinity. The site is remarkable not just for its striking topography but for its long-term use as an important Indigenous component of subsistence and cultural practice in the northwestern Great Plains. It is one of the most important locations of Blackfoot heritage. Our work at the site aims to clarify chronological and contextual issues related to the earliest occupation phases, evaluate the relationships between different activity areas, and identify earlier uses than those currently well documented. Through this work, students will learn about the site and develop key skills necessary in North American archaeology.

A Typical Day on the Dig

7:30 Rise and shine
7:45 Breakfast
8:30 Travel to the site
8:45 Work begins
12:30 Lunch time
13:00 Back to work
17:15 Pack up equipment
17:30 Return to basecamp
18:00 Workshops and camp chores
19:30 Dinner time!
22:00 Lights out

We will follow a similar schedule for the laboratory work in the last week of the field school.

IMPORTANT: Students should view this field school as a full-time in-class commitment for the entire 7 weeks. This includes the two-week on-line portion of the field school. Once the excavation component begins (arrival at base camp is May 31), students will not be able to leave the project until the final day, which is July 5.

Field School Learning Outcomes

By the end of the field school, you will have a solid understanding of archaeological field methods, know the value of detailed excavation records, and have experience in laboratory analysis. You will also learn how your efforts and discoveries contribute to the academic goals of the research project. You will be immersed in the local environment, engage with Blackfoot people and their culture, learn about the archaeology of southern Alberta, and make many new friends!

Interested in Participating?

An archaeological field school requires real, hard work in a camp environment. The weather may be hot or cold, rainy or sunny. You will get dirty and be very tired by the end of the day. We hope that the thrill of discovering artifacts that were buried for thousands of years outweighs the stiff muscles and long days. There is no better way to learn how to do field research than actually doing it!

Handout  HSIBJ 2026 Student ApplicationReference Form   HSIBJ 2026 Info Session

*Info Session Feb. 25, 2026, 6:00pm Rm PE264*