Vore Buffalo Jump Archaeology Dig + Itinerary

Location: Vore Buffalo Jump Foundation, Old Highway 14, Sundance, WY, USA

Season: July 20, 2026 to July 25, 2026

Session Dates: July 20-25, 2026

Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.ancientodysseys.com/vorebuffaloarchaeologydig

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Ancient Odysseys

Project Director:
Spencer Pelgon

Project Description:

This unforgettable journey—blending hands-on archaeology with the sacred and iconic beauty of South Dakota and Wyoming begins in Rapid City.

The Vore Buffalo Jump is one of the most important archaeological sites of the late-prehistoric Plains, as it records 300 years of human hunting. The sites is located at the bottom of a natural sinkhole that was used as a bison trap where at least 4,000 bison were trapped, killed, and butchered from about 1550 to 1800 A.D. It is likely that multiple tribes used the Vore site, including the Kiowa and Apache who migrated southwards to their modern home in the Texas-New Mexico region. Later peoples using the Vore site included the Shoshone, Hidatsa, Crow and Cheyenne.

You can dig into the discoveries at the Vore Buffalo Jump while stepping into the ancient past and living culture of the American West on this immersive Black Hills adventure tour. Designed for curious travelers, history lovers, and hands-on explorers, this one-of-a-kind journey goes far beyond sightseeing. You’ll take part in a real archaeological excavation at the Vore Buffalo Jump at one of the most significant Plains Indian sites in North America.

The Vore Buffalo Jump was used by Native American hunters to stampede bison in the direction of the pit, which was deep enough to kill or disable the animals that were driven into it. The Vore site has given archaeologists a detailed understanding of how this practice changed through time on a sub-generational scaled. It has also shed light on the period when Native American hunters followed the buffalo herds across the Great Plains on foot.

For two days, under the guidance of Dr. Spencer Pelton, Wyoming State Archaeologist, you will be excavating bones from some of the uppermost levels at the site, which represent some of the last bison jump events on the Great Plains. Here you can expect to excavate bison skulls, long bones, ribs, vertebrae, and arrow points and perhaps stone tools—all evidence of the Native American tribes who used this site.

This also includes visits to:
Devils Tower National Monument
Wildlife Jeep Safari in Custer State Park
Wind Cave National Park
Mammoth Site
Crazy Horse Memorial
Mt. Rushmore

Period(s) of Occupation: AD 1500-1800

Notes:
The 2-day dig at the Vore Buffalo Jump is led by Wyoming State Paleontologist, Spencer Pelton. The itinerary incudes 4 additional days with travel to other locations in Wyoming and South Dakota. All accommodations and most meals are provided. All transportation from Rapid City is provided. Cost starts at $3,595 pp

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 6 days

Minimum Age: 12

Experience Required: No experience required

Room and Board Arrangements:
All accommodations included as are most meals

Academic Credit:
None