Ancient Bison Hunting Exhibit travels to the Elbert County Museum
Exhibit Opens Sunday, May 25, 2008 thru August 31, 2008

An exhibit showcasing prehistoric bison hunting practices and the importance of the bison to Native Americans is coming soon to the Elbert County Museum, 515 Comanche Street (Hwy 86), Kiowa, CO  80117. Exhibit hours are Thursday 11-2, Saturday 12-4 and Sunday 2-4.  Admission is free – Donations are welcomed. This exhibit is sponsored by the Elbert County Historical Society.

The exhibit brings to life bison hunting as it was practiced for thousands of years by Indians on the Colorado High Plains.  It focuses on the Kaplan-Hoover Bison Bonebed, a bison-hunting site located near Windsor, Colorado. One of the largest arroyo hunting sites known in the Americas, the bonebed was unearthed during the building of a new subdivision on bluffs west of Windsor in 1997. Researchers from the anthropology department at Colorado State University have determined that it is from the Late Archaic Period is 2700 years old. It contains bones from nearly 200 bison.

The Awakening Stories exhibit looks at the importance of bison to Native American cultures over the centuries.  Panels present insights and interpretations by American Indians, archaeologists and bison ecologists. “American Buffalo: Spirit of a Nation” is the title of a DVD that accompanies the exhibit. Produced by the National Wildlife Federation, it explores tribal programs aimed at restoring bison herds.

Also part of the exhibit is a selection of traditional cultural items made from buffalo materials.  An arm shield of brain-tanned buffalo hide was made by Leroy White Man, Northern Cheyenne Nation. Other artifacts include a medicine bowl, bison calling items, smudge pot, rattle and bison horn.

The Kaplan-Hoover bonebed site was purchased with a grant award from the Colorado Historical Society-State Historical Fund which allowed the excavation to be reburied for long-term preservation. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Awakening Stories of Ancient Bison Hunting is sponsored by the Northern Colorado Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society.  It is managed by the City of Greeley Museums. The exhibit was funded by Colorado Historical Society-State Historical Fund, Colorado Endowment for the Humanities, Colorado Archaeological Society, City of Greeley Museums and Color Key Displays, Inc.

For more information, contact Carla Martell, 303-621-2229 or John and Lucy Hoffhines, 303-646-5683.

Elbert County Historical Society
PO Box 43
515 Comanche Street
Kiowa, Colorado  80117

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