The Canadian landscape was once inhabited by a tribe of people known as the Blackfoot, and these people recorded their history with rock carving Alberta. Bison, wolves, bears, birds, and snakes are often depicted in these works. Others show geometric shapes which apparently the native people regarded as sacred, and it is believed that these outcroppings of stone were areas of worship and meditation.
There are more than the inscriptions in the stones; however. There are also intricate and beautiful cave paintings found upon the stones, done with the mineral red ocher mixed with the fat of animals hunted by the tribesmen. These paintings are still clinging to the cliffs, preserved against all odds, for thousands of years.
This form of art is created by etching the sandstone with harder stones, bones, and later pieces of metal. Sandstone was probably used because it is softer than other rocks in the area, but the art work has lasted a surprisingly long time. Even with the erosion of wind and rain, these pieces remain as a testament to an ancient way of life.
These people felt a strong attachment to the spiritual realm, and they regarded spirit to be as real and as important as the physical world. They held a strong notion that animals were also strong spiritual beings. When they sketched animals, it is possible that they were giving honor the spirits of the animals that they killed to feed their people.
The offspring of these tribes still have a strong connection to the spiritual world, and they regard these carvings as a treasure. It keeps them connected spiritually to their ancestors. Most Westerners now do not have such an attachment.
While many of these sites have been dated back approximately three thousand years, there are more recent examples as well. There are sites which depict guns and people on horse back. These pictoglyphs are believed to date around the Sixteenth century, when European settlers began to interact with the native tribes.
Unfortunately, many careless individuals have destroyed areas of archaeological significance in recent years. Large construction projects, or even yard improvements have probably destroyed more history than we will ever know. It is important when people find archaeologically significant sites to immediately take measures to ensure that the finds are preserved.
The Canadian government, in response to some extremely unfortunate recent episodes of vandalism, have passed stringent laws to prevent these art works from being defaced. Anyone who is caught vandalizing such a site can be fined as much as fifty thousand dollars, and may even spend some time in jail. These sites are still being studied, as scientists still have not finished translating their meanings.
The Canadians feel very strongly about preserving the rock carving Alberta for future generations to study and enjoy. Not only that, but the remnants of the native people have a strong connection to this land. There is a rich and poignant history surrounding these areas, and the ancient art keeps modern humans connected to their tribal past.
There are more than the inscriptions in the stones; however. There are also intricate and beautiful cave paintings found upon the stones, done with the mineral red ocher mixed with the fat of animals hunted by the tribesmen. These paintings are still clinging to the cliffs, preserved against all odds, for thousands of years.
This form of art is created by etching the sandstone with harder stones, bones, and later pieces of metal. Sandstone was probably used because it is softer than other rocks in the area, but the art work has lasted a surprisingly long time. Even with the erosion of wind and rain, these pieces remain as a testament to an ancient way of life.
These people felt a strong attachment to the spiritual realm, and they regarded spirit to be as real and as important as the physical world. They held a strong notion that animals were also strong spiritual beings. When they sketched animals, it is possible that they were giving honor the spirits of the animals that they killed to feed their people.
The offspring of these tribes still have a strong connection to the spiritual world, and they regard these carvings as a treasure. It keeps them connected spiritually to their ancestors. Most Westerners now do not have such an attachment.
While many of these sites have been dated back approximately three thousand years, there are more recent examples as well. There are sites which depict guns and people on horse back. These pictoglyphs are believed to date around the Sixteenth century, when European settlers began to interact with the native tribes.
Unfortunately, many careless individuals have destroyed areas of archaeological significance in recent years. Large construction projects, or even yard improvements have probably destroyed more history than we will ever know. It is important when people find archaeologically significant sites to immediately take measures to ensure that the finds are preserved.
The Canadian government, in response to some extremely unfortunate recent episodes of vandalism, have passed stringent laws to prevent these art works from being defaced. Anyone who is caught vandalizing such a site can be fined as much as fifty thousand dollars, and may even spend some time in jail. These sites are still being studied, as scientists still have not finished translating their meanings.
The Canadians feel very strongly about preserving the rock carving Alberta for future generations to study and enjoy. Not only that, but the remnants of the native people have a strong connection to this land. There is a rich and poignant history surrounding these areas, and the ancient art keeps modern humans connected to their tribal past.
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