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By 'Marc A. Schindler'
Pre-Columbian Equine Find in Southern Alberta
CARDSTON, ALBERTA, CANADA -- This just in on CBC Radio One's "As It
Happens." A Cardston, Alberta schoolteacher has found proof of
co-existence of horses and humans in pre-Columbian times. The site's
now being excavated by archaeologists from the University of Calgary
(the schoolteacher is now working on his M.Sc. in archaeology as a
result of his find). The site is the bottom of the St. Mary's River
reservoir which forms the SE border of the Blood Indian Reserve,
within walking distance of the Cardston temple.
[Editor's note: If this find is confirmed and dates to the
appropriate time periods, it will fill an important hole in Book of
Mormon archaeology. The Book of Mormon indicates that the ancient
inhabitants of the Americas used horses, but to date the
archaeological record has not supported the presence of horses. Even
with this find, the evidence supporting the presence of horses will
be thin.]
Clovis points (ie, arrowheads older than Columbus) have been found
with animal protein residues on them, along with numerous bones.
Carbon dating of the remains varies from 200 years ago to 11 000 BP.
Three Clovis points have been tested; 2 have been found with equine
protein and fat residue on them, and 1 with camel (!) residue on it.
The U of C project leader is Dr. Brian P. Kooyman, Associate
Professor of Archaeology, University of Calgary.
Will pass along more details as I get them.
Source:
Report, Marc A. Schindler
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