Archaeology in the Park: Finding the Pioneers

Calgary’s Euro-Canadian history dates back 142 years to where Fish Creek flows into the Bow River, and archaeological evidence discovered in the park offers a unique glimpse of life on the western prairie for pioneers and cowboys. Climb aboard the minibus to learn about archaeology in the park on a scenic tour exploring the creation of our community.  Join tour guide Drew McKibben on this tour from the Bow Valley Ranch to Bebo Grove in our open-air electric minibus, and learn about the history of the early pioneers who made this area their home, as well as the archaeological evidence they have left behind.

Register through Eventbrite   

Seating is limited to 8 people.  $30 per person.

Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch area of Fish Creek Provincial Park, beside the red barn (travel south along Bow Bottom Trail until you enter Fish Creek Provincial Park; turn right into the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot)

Drew McKibben has been in the communications business for nearly 25 years as a journalist, a broadcaster and author of periodical nature stories for children. His work has been published in many newspapers and magazines, including the Calgary Herald, Backpacker, Beautiful British Columbia and Alberta Venture. Drew also spent a decade in the backcountry as a fire lookout and lighthouse keeper, and a trail builder in federal and provincial parks. An accomplished singer-songwriter, he has also worked as a journalism coach to elementary school children. As a Friends of Fish Creek volunteer, he’s been interpreting the park’s archaeology since July 2014.

Please note: Historical resources are sensitive and non-renewable. Once the contents and the context of a site have been disrupted, the ability to interpret their meaning is lost forever. The Alberta Historical Resources Act governs the excavation or collection of archaeological material and a special permit is required to conduct an archaeological excavation. Report a find to the Alberta Archaeological Survey: http://bit.ly/1Jm8VAN

Volunteer for an archaeological dig this summer through the U of C Program for Public Archaeology, with 2015 excavations at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. www.arky.ucalgary.ca/public-archaeology