Material Type

Artifact

Date Range From

1670

Date Range To

1770

Materials

IRON

No. Pieces

1

Length

19.7(BLADE)

Width

11.2

Diameter

2.5

Description

SOFT FORGED IRON. HEART SHAPED HOLE STAMPED IN BLADE. HAND FORGED. LEATHER HANDLE. CONSERVATION REPORT ON FILE.

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

WOODWORKING T&E

Historical Association

ETHNOGRAPHIC

History

HUDSON BAY COMPANY. REF: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO. "BEATEN OUT OF SOFT IRON, THE AXE SHAPED HEAD PLAINLY SHOWS THE IMPRESSIONS OF THE FORGE AND HAS CUT THROUGH THE METAL A HEART SHAPED PATTERN, AND THIS MARK IDENTIFIES THE WEAPON AS BEING OVER 200 YEARS OLD, ACCORDING TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, WHICH WAS CONSULTED BY THE OWNER OF THE RELIC, FRED BOTSFORD OF LETHBRIDGE, WELL-KNOWN STUDENT OF INDIAN LORE. THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXPLAINS THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE HUDSON BAY COMPANY HAD BEEN FORMED IN 1670, ITS OFFICIALS SHIPPED SUPPLIES OF WEAPONS SUITABLE FOR THE USE OF INDIANS TO BE TRADED FOR THE BEAVER SKINS. AMONG THESE WAS A LOT OF TOMAHAWKS - THE FIRST OF MANY OTHER SHIPMENTS. EACH SHIPMENT BORE ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE MARK, AND THE BLADES WERE INCISED WITH THIS FEATURE. EARLIEST OF ALL WAS THE HEART SHAPED HOLE, FOLLOWED BY A SEQUENCE CONSISTING OF DIAMONDS, CLUBS AND SPADES, TO PLEASE THE GAMBLING INSTINCTS OF ALL TRADERS. AS THE TOMAHAWK IN THE POSSESSION OF MR. BOTSFORD CARRIES THE HEART BRAND, IT IS BELIEVED TO BELONG TO THE INITIAL SHIPMENT OF THESE WEAPONS TO ARRIVE IN CANADA, AND TO BE AT LEAST 200 YEARS OLD".

Catalogue Number

P19738042000

Acquisition Date

1973-07

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Date Range From

1750

Date Range To

1900

Materials

BUFFALO HORN, RAWHIDE, BUCKSKIN

No. Pieces

1

Length

38.0

Diameter

8.9

Description

BUFFALO HORN CONTAINER WITH A RAWHIDE CAP AND BUCKSKIN THONG. CAP SEWN WITH SINEW. HOLES APPEAR MACHINE DRILLED. BASE OF HORN SHOWS CUT MARKS.

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

Historical Association

ETHNOGRAPHIC

History

NORTHERN PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.

UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000.

Catalogue Number

P19641148000

Acquisition Date

1964-07

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Other Name

HAMMERSTONE

Date Range From

1700

Date Range To

1900

Materials

STONE

No. Pieces

1

Height

3.0

Length

7.6

Width

6.7

Description

GREY STONE. HAS TWO VERY DISTINCT GROOVES AROUND IT, EACH ABOUT 1.1 CM WIDE. HAS A BLUE PLASTIC TAG STUCK ON IT THAT IS EMBOSSED WITH "1987.467".

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

MULTIPLE USE ARTIFACT

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

History

FIRST NATIONS CULTURE. SEE P19990035001-GA

Catalogue Number

P19990035008

Acquisition Date

2000-06

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Date Range From

1700

Date Range To

1850

Materials

QUARTZITE, RAWHIDE, WOOD, CLOTH

No. Pieces

1

Height

3.7

Length

33

Width

11.5

Description

WORKING SURFACE OF MAUL IS COVERED WITH RED OCHRE STAINS. CONSERVATION REPORT ON FILE.

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

History

PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.

UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000.

Catalogue Number

P19641143000

Acquisition Date

1964-07

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Other Name

AGATE BASIN SPEARPOINT

Date Range From

10500

Date Range To

9900BP

Materials

CHALCEDONY

No. Pieces

1

Height

0.5

Length

5.5

Width

1.6

Description

MOTTLED BROWN-GREY CHALCEDONY. OFFSET STRAIGHT BASE; FAIRLY POINTED TIP. ONE LATERAL EDGE CONVEX; ONE IS STRAIGHT. CONVEX CROSS SECTION. BIFACIAL FLAKING. 'LANCEOLATE' OR LEAF-SHAPED POINT.

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

ARMAMENT-EDGED

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

History

NORTHERN PLAINS CULTURE. IN 2009, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE PLAINS ARCHAEOLOGY STUDENT FALLON MAHAR SURVEYED THE GALT'S POINT AND STONE TOOL COLLECTION AND, USING A TEMPLATE DEVELOPED IN COORDINATION WITH PROF. BUBEL AND REFERENCE BOOK "ALBERTA IN STONE", PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON THE GALT'S COLLECTION. CONCEQUENTLY, THIS RECORD WAS REVISED TO NO LONGER DEFINE THE ARTIFACT'S 'OTHER NAME' AS ASYMETRICAL BIFACE, BUT AS A AGATE BASIN SPEARPOINT. FINALLY, SHE FELT THE PREVIOUS 1850-1900 DATE WAS INCORRECT, PROVIDED A NEW "EARLY PERIOD" DATE.

Catalogue Number

P19739205000

Acquisition Date

1973-09

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Other Name

IRON TRADE POINT

Date Range From

1750

Date Range To

1900

Materials

IRON

No. Pieces

1

Length

31.4

Width

6.3

Description

SOFT IRON, HAMMERED & CUT. T-BAR SHANK. HEAVILY CORRODED, SEE CONSERVATION REPORT.

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

ARMAMENT-EDGED

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

History

HISTORIC FUR TRADE ITEM, FOUND BY DONOR IN FARROW CREEK, SOUTH OF PINCHER CREEK, AB.

Catalogue Number

P19683281000

Acquisition Date

1968-06

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Other Name

AGATE BASIN SPEARPOINT

Date Range From

10500

Date Range To

9000 BP

Materials

CHALCEDONY

No. Pieces

1

Height

0.4

Length

4.4

Width

1.6

Description

MOTTLED BROWN CHALCEDONY, LANCEOLATE TYPE OF POINT WITH A STRAIGHT BASE WHICH IS BIFACIALLY THINNED. NO BASAL GRINDING. CONVEX CROSS SECTION & LATERAL EDGES. BIFACIALLY FLAKED. LANCEOLATE SHAPE

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

ARMAMENT-EDGED

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

History

NORTHERN PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE. IN 2009, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE PLAINS ARCHAEOLOGY STUDENT FALLON MAHAR SURVEYED THE GALT'S POINT AND STONE TOOL COLLECTION AND, USING A TEMPLATE DEVELOPED IN COORDINATION WITH PROF. BUBEL AND REFERENCE BOOK "ALBERTA IN STONE", PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON THE GALT'S COLLECTION. CONCEQUENTLY, SHE FELT THE POINT MAY BE AN "AGATE BASIN SPEARPOINT", BUT NOTED THE POINT IS "A LITTLE SMALLER THEN AVERAGE". ADDITIONALLY, MAHAR QUESTIONED THE RECORD'S ORIGINAL 1700 DATE , PROPOSING IT'S CLOSER TO 10500 - 9900 BP (EARLY PERIOD). IN 2009, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE PLAINS ARCHAEOLOGY STUDENT FALLON MAHAR SURVEYED THE GALT'S POINT AND STONE TOOL COLLECTION AND, USING A TEMPLATE DEVELOPED IN COORDINATION WITH PROF. BUBEL AND REFERENCE BOOK "ALBERTA IN STONE", PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON THE GALT'S COLLECTION. CONCEQUENTLY, THIS RECORD WAS REVISED TO NO LONGER DEFINE THE ARTIFACT'S 'OTHER NAME' AS ASYMETRICAL BIFACE, BUT AS A AGATE BASIN SPEARPOINT. FINALLY, SHE FELT THE PREVIOUS 1850-1900 DATE WAS INCORRECT, PROVIDED A NEW "EARLY PERIOD" DATE.

Catalogue Number

P19739212000

Acquisition Date

1973-06

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Date Range From

1600

Date Range To

1875

Materials

IRON OR STEEL

No. Pieces

1

Height

0.15

Length

5.3

Width

2.3

Description

STAMPED OR CUT FROM SHEET IRON. CUT MARKS VISIBLE ON STEM. EDGES GROUND TO SHARPNESS. COVERED WITH SURFACE RUST & PATINATION. SEE CONSERVATION REPORT.

Subjects

ARMAMENT-EDGED

INDIGENOUS

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

History

A TRADE POINT, PROBABLY ORIGINATING FROM THE AMERICAN TRADERS ALONG THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER. THE CUT-OUT SHEET IRON STYLE WAS COMMON ON THE MISSOURI RIVER. THE H.B. CO. PRODUCED FORGED POINTS IN CANADA, WHICH DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY IN APPEARANCE TO THE U.S. STYLE BLADE. FOUND BY DONOR IIN HOME LOCATED IN LETHBRIDGE. THE HOME HAD SEVERAL PREVIOUS OWNERS, & DONOR DOES NOT KNOW HOW POINT CAME TO BE IN THE HOUSE OR ITS PROVENANCE. IN 2009, UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE PLAINS ARCHAEOLOGY STUDENT FALLON MAHAR SURVEYED THE GALT'S POINT AND STONE TOOL COLLECTION AND, USING A TEMPLATE DEVELOPED IN COORDINATION WITH PROF. BUBEL AND REFERENCE BOOK "ALBERTA IN STONE", PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON THE GALT'S COLLECTION. CONCEQUENTLY, MAHAR QUESTIONED THE RECORD'S ORIGINAL 1830 - 1875 DATE, PROPOSING IT MAY BE AS EARLY AS THE 1600'S (POST EUROPEAN CONTACT).

Catalogue Number

P19800120000

Acquisition Date

1979-08

Collection

Museum

Less detail

Material Type

Artifact

Date Range From

1750

Date Range To

1900

Materials

BONE, BUCKSKIN

No. Pieces

1

Height

4.2

Length

34.0

Width

9.8

Description

BUCKSKIN STRAP. KNIFE MARKS ON ONE END. RED-BROWN COLOURATION. SCRAPING EDGE IS WORN.

Subjects

INDIGENOUS

Historical Association

ARCHAEOLOGY

ETHNOGRAPHIC

History

PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE.

Catalogue Number

P19738499000

Acquisition Date

1973-01

Collection

Museum

Less detail