Recapitulation About Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi

Because of its cultural significance, the Writing-on-Stone Park was given Provincial Park status in 1968. The park is open year-round (including winter) and offers excellent hiking, camping and sightseeing opportunities. Visitors can go on self-guided interpretive trails or choose from various guided tours led by knowledgeable staff or volunteer guides.

The park is a habitat for many animals, such as white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, fox, beaver, porcupine and Canada geese. Smaller mammals include squirrels, chipmunks, mice, gophers, moles, skunks and rabbits. Raptors that frequent the park include red-tailed hawks, great-horned owls, turkey buzzards, and bald eagles. Songbirds include red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, house finches, and robins.

Why are the Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi Rock Writings so Important?

The Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi rock writings are important because they are one of the few examples of rock writings in North America. They are also one of the oldest collections of rock writings in the world. The Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi rock writings are also part of the cultural heritage of the Blackfoot people. The Blackfoot people are those who have inhabited this region for thousands of years.

What is the Writing-on-Stone Story?

The story of Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi rock writings spans thousands of years, from about 10,000 years ago to the present day. It is not known exactly when they created the rock writings. The first written records of the site date from 1891, when the explorer and naturalist James Teit recorded the petroglyphs during his expedition through southern Alberta. The earliest petroglyph was created about 10,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest rock writings in southern Alberta and North America. The oldest petroglyphs are of a caribou, a cougar, and a bear paw.

Áísínai’pi Geoglyphs

The Áísínai’pi geoglyphs are the most visible rock writings at Writing-on-Stone Park. They were created about 500 years ago by the Blackfoot people. The Blackfoot people who created these geoglyphs were following centuries-old traditions are perpetuated that were practised at rock writings sites throughout the world. The geoglyphs were made by removing the dark-coloured top layer of the rock at Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi. The geoglyphs are composed of simple geometric shapes. The geoglyphs are arranged in rows and depict horses, lances or arrows, shields or drums, and people. There are also other kinds of figures that are less common at Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi. The geoglyphs were created by scraping the top layer of the sandstone rock away to create the designs.

The Mystery of Áísínai’pi

• The mystery of Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi rock writings is that we do not know exactly why the Blackfoot people created them
• The designs and symbols carved into the sandstone rock at Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi are similar to those found at hundreds of other rock writings sites around the world
• Rock writings sites have been found in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America
• Many rock writings sites have been discovered in Africa and Europe
• However, only a few rock writing sites have been found in North America.

Writing Systems were Created at Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi?

• Some people believe that the Blackfoot people created rock writings to record events that had happened in their community
• Others think that they were created as symbols of magic or religious teachings
• Some researchers have suggested that the rock writings were used to help create a calendar or ceremonial calendar
• Each of these ideas is based on evidence found at other rock writings sites
• Unfortunately, no one knows why the Blackfoot people created the rock writings at Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi

Flora and Fauna of Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi

The park has a mature aspen parkland vegetation type which turns yellow in the fall. The deciduous trees are interspersed with coniferous species like pine and spruce, especially near the river. Cottonwood and poplar also grow in the park. The riverbank is fringed with willow, alder and balsam poplar. Flowering plants include wild strawberry, wild rose, wild lily and columbine. The park is a habitat for many animals, such as white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, fox, beaver, porcupine and Canada geese. Smaller mammals include squirrels, chipmunks, mice, gophers, moles, skunks and rabbits. Raptors that frequent the park include red-tailed hawks, great-horned owls, turkey, buzzards, and bald eagles. Songbirds include red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, house finches, and robins.

The History Behind Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi

From 2000 BC to AD 200, the Southern Rocky Mountain Trench was home to the Western Cree-Assiniboine, the Northern edge of the semi-arid Great Plains Cree and Blackfoot peoples. This region was rich in bison and other large mammals, as well as small game, fish, wild edible plants and edible roots. The Western Cree-Assiniboine were nomadic, following the bison herds as they migrated through the mountains or migrated themselves to follow the ripening wild fruits. The Northern edge of the semi-arid Great Plains Cree was semi-nomadic, living in permanent winter villages in sheltered places along river valleys. 

The Blackfoot were fully nomadic, following the bison herds throughout the mountains and prairies. To the early explorers and fur traders, this was the “high” or “mountain” country, as opposed to the “low” or “prairie” country. The Rocky Mountain Trench was a major travel route between the two areas.

Conclusion

The earliest petroglyph was created about 10,000 years ago. The Áísínai’pi geoglyphs were created about 500 years ago. The mystery of Áísínai’pi is that we do not know exactly why the Blackfoot people created them. Some people believe that the rock writings were used to help create a calendar or ceremonial calendar.