About Us
1995
The Bodo Bison Skulls Site was discovered during construction of a Norcen pipeline in 1995.
1995-1996
Dr. Terry Gibson, Ph.D., Archaeologist/Anthropologist commences investigation and analysis of archaeological findings near Bodo as a result of ongoing oil exploration in the vicinity of the Bodo Archaeological Sites.
2000-2001
Archaeological investigation is renewed with expanded Murphy Oil Company development in the South Bodo oil field.
2002
The 1st University of Alberta Archaeology Field Training School is held at Bodo. The local newspaper, The Provost News provides coverage, generating community interest. The Bodo Community Association provides lab and classroom (lecture) room space, camping and cooking facilities. An annual July 01st Open House & Tours are initiated and approximately 100 visitors attend.
2003
The 2nd U of A Archaeology Field Training School is held at Bodo. The Open House & Tours attract 150 + people to Bodo, July 01st.
Dec. 2003
BAS (Bodo Archaeological Society) incorporated as a non-profit society. BAS and WBNPIC (Wainwright Buffalo National Park Interpretative Centre) Foundation trade board positions and agree to develop a joint tourism venue in east central Alberta
2004
3rd U of A Archaeology Field Training School held with (15) students, (2) Teaching Assistants (Graduate Students - Kurtis Blaikie & Michelle Borowitz), Project Director/Instructor, Terry Gibson, Ph.D. and Project Archaeologist/Lab Supervisor, Beth Mann, MA. Municipal District of Provost # 52 and Town of Provost each donate $60,000 to initiate development of Bodo Archaeological Sites. BAS uses funds from this $120,000 donation to fund analysis, cataloguing and reporting of 2002/2003 artifact collections. The Society also funds a 4th (Advanced) Archaeology Field Training School. BAS employs Cherise Baier (STEP - Summer Temporary Employment Program) to assist school staff and manage BAS confectionery & souvenir sales. The first local school tours are hosted at Bodo during the early summer when the field training school students are on-site. 300 + people attend the July 01st Open House & Tours - over 150 stay for supper, served up by the students! Mary Baier of Macklin, SK donates a set of Bunnock Bones for a raffle that raises almost $250.
The Minister of Alberta Sustainable Resources, Mike Cardinal & Members of the Legislative Assembly tour archaeological sites at Bodo. The Provost Toastmasters Club held their annual year-end meeting at Bodo and visited the near-by excavations.
Speaker Series: Dr. Alwynne Beaudoin, Provincial Museum of Alberta Natural History Paleoenvironmentalist - On Dry Land: Detecting Drought in Alberta’s Past, July 16th.
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Alberta Economic Development grants BAS & WBNPIC $20,000 each for three (3) years (2004 - 2005 - 2006) - $120,000 to grow tourism!
WBNPIC/BAS commission a New Tourist Attraction Concept Design and Feasibility Study: Where the Buffalo Roamed by EXCELeration corp and Context inc.
A CD: Mystery of the Buffalo - The Lost Alberta was completed by Image Works Alberta Inc. to highlight the history and promote the future of these new tourism attractions.
2005
A proposal to establish the Bodo Institute of Prairie Archaeology is submitted to the University of Alberta, Jan. 27th. The University subsequently submits the proposal to establish a 5-year academic research program centered on the largest pre-contact archaeological site complex in Western Canada (the Bodo Archaeological Sites) to Alberta Advanced Education Access to the Future Fund. The 4th U of A Field Archaeology Training School held with (8) University of Alberta students, (1) University of Lethbridge student, Courtney Lakevold of Provost, (2) Research Associates/Teaching Assistants - Christie Grekul and Krista Gilliland, (1) volunteer - Peter Kirchmeir, Dr. Terry Gibson and Beth Mann. Roxanna Wotschell (STEP) is employed as Manager of the BAS Confectionery, Gift & Souvenir Shop. She hosts numerous school tours, the Southeastern Alberta Archaeological Society, WBNPIC Keystone Group and Wainwright Battle River Lodge. 200 + people attended annual July 01st Open House and Tours @ Bodo, many from as far a way as Camrose and Edmonton.
An Interpretative Display & Exhibits Master Plan is completed in conjunction with WBNPIC by Image Works Alberta Inc. and Logbarn Studio.
Speaker Series: Kurtis Blaikie, Graduate Student - Archaeological Investigation of Well pad 10-32 in the Bodo Hills, Apr. 21st.
Speaker Series: Michelle Borowitz, Graduate Student - Drought & Human Response: Perspectives from Bodo, AB, May 19th.
Speaker Series: John W (Jack) Ives, Provincial Archaeologist: Heritage Resource Management Branch - Human Settlement of the Prairie Provinces: 13,000 Calendar Years Ago, Jun. 16th.
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein tours Bodo Archaeological Sites!
Speaker Series: Jennifer Brower, MA - Nationalistic Fervour, Mythical Sentiments: The Rise & Fall of Buffalo National Park, Jul. 21st.
Speaker Series: Krista Gilliland, Graduate Student - Unlocking the Mystery: Soils and Archaeology at Bodo, Oct. 05th.
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Kurtis Blaikie receives his MA from the Department of Anthropology at University of Alberta. His Master’s Thesis: Investigations at FaOm-1: the Bodo Bison Skulls Site is the 1st based on research at the Bodo Archaeological Sites. Three other graduate theses in progress are also based on the Bodo project(s).
The Bodo Archaeological Society and Provost & District Museum are granted a $300,000 Alberta Centennial Legacies Grant to develop interpretative displays and exhibits @ Bodo (Bodo Community Hall) and Provost (Provost & District Museum).
1st AGM (Annual General Meeting) of the Bodo Archeological Society held Oct. 28th. Leon Benoit, MP - Vegreville/Wainwright and Doug Griffiths, MLA - Battle River/Wainwright attend.
Bodo Archaeological Society receives $30,000 Rural Community Economic Development Project Grant to complete interpretative displays and exhibits.
2006
University of Alberta hires graduate students to complete cataloguing of all the artifacts retrieved from the Bodo Archaeological Sites to date. The Department of Anthropology assumes responsibility for ensuring all reports are completed and submitted to Tourism, Park, Recreation and Culture – Heritage Resource Management Branch. University of Alberta Department of Anthropology 2006 Bodo Archaeological Field School is May 29th - Jul. 07th. For more information: Dr. Terry Gibson, Field School Director (gibson@ualberta.ca) or check out: www.arts.ualberta.ca/~bodo
2007
University of Alberta Department of Anthropology 2007 Bodo Archaeological Field School is May 28th - Jul. 06th.
