BUFFALO JUMP August 24, 2012

Between Beulah and Sundance, Wyoming we found the Vore Buffalo Jump. They found this historic site in 1970 while they were excavating I-90. They knew it would take along time to process their find, so they covered it over and in 1995 the University of Wyoming started examining this "find".   They discovered a span of time over 300 years ...amounting to 22 jumps.  From 1500 to 1800 Native Americans would use these types of jumps to collect the meat they would need for the year.  In the earlier years they did not have horses or bows and arrows.  They would chase the buffalo over the hills edge,  They would butcher and process the buffalo right on the spot. Sort of gorey, like nothing we've ever seen before.  Layers and layers of bones.  The University of Wyoming is still excavating. They are trying to raise enough money to have a state of the art Visitor Center.  Right now it doesn't look like much when you drive up to it. Just a little building about 10x10 and 2 porta potties.  There is a building at the bottom of the hole in the ground but you can't see it from the parking lot.  The building at the bottom of the hole is to protect the excavation sight.

A few days prior to our visit to the Buffalo Jump we visited the High Plains Western Museum, here in Spearfish.  There were live buffalo in the pastures in front of the museum. They had information and artifacts about how cattle was moved from the south up through this area. They had old guns, wagons, a stage coach, blacksmithing equipment anything needed during the westward expansion.  We have really enjoyed our time here in the Black Hills. There is so much to see and do.