Author: Unknown
•9:44 PM
By Wanda Vaughn


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 native tribes believed the physical world was strongly connected to the spiritual realms, and that these worlds were just as real as the world they lived in. There was also a belief that animals were spiritual beings. Many of the sketches of animals may well have been their way of honoring the spirits of the animals who provided them with their food.

Modern native people still have a deep connection with the realm of spirit, and they regard these carvings as a national treasure. It gives them a strong connection to their ancestors who once ruled these lands. To them, theirs is a history written in stone, and left for future generations to learn from.

It is believed that some of these carvings are as much as three thousand years old. However, there are some etchings which appear to be much more recent, perhaps being created around the Sixteenth century. There are carvings of guns, horses, and other more modern aspects of their history.

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.




About the Author:



|
This entry was posted on 9:44 PM and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

0 nhận xét: