Carmangay Tipi Rings
Nine circles of stone are present in the grassy field along the Little
Bow River just north of Carmangay.
These stones were used by Native Albertans to hold down the edges of their conical skin tents or tipis.
Archaeologists call these circles "tipi rings." Excavation conducted at this tipi ring site by
qualified archaeologists revealed only a few broken tools, waste stone from tool manufacture, and a few small
scraps of buffalo bone. A single small triangular projectile point was discovered. This style represents an
arrowhead and indicates that the site was occupied sometime between A.D. 200 - 1700.
The tipi of the Plains Indians was a brilliant response to the housing needs of a mobile people. A three or four pole framework was erected, and other poles were placed against this framework. A covering of buffalo skins was raised and the loose poles were then spread to tighten the cover. Two flaps or "ears" at the top of the tipi could be oriented to draw smoke from the fireplace out of the lodge, or to cover the smoke hole in bad weather. The lower edge of the tipi was held down by large stones. When camp was moved, the stones remained and now mark the place where the tipi had been.
Like any house, the tipi had different areas for sleeping, cooking, and other tasks.
There were areas for use by the women and children, and other areas for the men. Beds were located along the
sides and rear of the tipi. Much of the everyday activity occurred between the central fireplace and the door
while the back of the lodge often had a sacred alter.
The Plains Indians moved regularly to harvest the resources of the land. Winter was spent in a sheltered river valley where wood and water were available. During warm weather, the people were very mobile, seeking buffalo for food and harvesting plants and berries. Their summer campsites were occupied just for short periods and only a very few broken and discarded tools, and circles of stone, were left behind.
