Key Number:	HS 20367
Site Name:	British Block Cairn Archaeological Site
Other Names:
Site Type:	1315 - Governmental: Monument, Cairn or Statue 1910 - Archaeological Site

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			19	5	4

Address:	Suffield Military Reserve
Number:
Street:
Avenue:
Other:
Town:
Near Town:	Suffield

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:
Plan Shape:
Storeys:
Foundation:
Superstructure:
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:
Exterior:	N/A
Interior:	N/A
Environment:	The cairn occupies a high hill in the short grass prairie which has an excellent view of the surrounding country. The site is dominated by grasses and there is not real water for at least 2 miles. It is a long way from any place. 40-50 miles north of Medicine Hat.
Condition:	Cairn is still standing but most of the contents have been removed. The human figure is mostly intact also. Outside circle is in good shape but many of the spokes are destroyed. Site condition largely disturbed.
Alterations:	N/A

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Massacre took place. N/A
Usage:	Usage Date:
N/A
Owner:	Owner Date:
Gevernment

Architect:	N/A
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	One of very few Medicine Wheel and Cairn sites in Alberta, the Cairn contained a large amount of pottery and other artifacts of numerous cultures. The site consists of a six foot high mound measuring thirty feet in diameter. The cairn is surrounded by a ring of stones eighty feet across, with a figure of a man contained within the circle. Possibly as old as 3,000 B.C., the site spans both the Middle and Prehistoric Periods. The site faces a major threat from its situation on the Suffield Military Reserve. Prehistoric Significance / Uniqueness: Unique because only a very few of these sites exist in Plains. Contained a large quantity of pottery which others didn't have. Cairn held artifacts belonging to numerous cultures leaving the construction date a big question.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Provincial Historic Resource	1981/03/26

Register:

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0039