An Interpretive Model for Stone Circles and Stone Circle Sites Within Southeastern Alberta

Abstract

Various aspects of stone circle research conducted on the Suffield Military Reserve in southeastern Alberta are presented and discussed. The relationships identified on the Reserve are interpreted, by reference to ethnographic sources and to other archaeological data, to formulate a general settlement model for southeastern Alberta. A number of ongoing, and relatively unchanging, aboriginal cultural requirements are discussed in relation to the varying geographic and seasonal distribution of the resources needed to fulfill these requirements, as the basis for explaining and predicting site seasonality, distribution, diversity, and type. The major factors that appear to largely influence the nature and extent of the aboriginal utilization of any locale within the region are topographic relief, surficial deposits, seasonal availability of surface water, and presence or absence and relative abundance of woody plants.