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ribstone
[trans. from Cree]
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
n.
See 1965 quote.
Quotations
1928
Ribstone; lake and creek, Battle River, 45-1-4; on Palliser map, 1865; in Cree as-sin-i-kos-pike-ganit; a large stone bears marks resembling a man's ribs.
1959
Two rocks, carved and chiselled so as to resemble the ribs of a buffalo, are marked by the cairn. The ribstones are believed to have had a sacred significance to the Indians of this area for more than a thousand years. According to the legend associated with the stone carvings, Indians sacrificed buffalo on the stones at the commencement of each hunt, in the belief that such sacrifices would ensure success.
1965
Ribstones are boulder petroglyphs . . . three to five feet in length . . . composed of tough resistant quartzite, probably transported to Alberta from the Canadian Shield by glacial action.