As part of an educational program, the Meeteetse Museums will soon butcher a cow bison with stone tools.

The project is a type of “experimental archaeology” and its purpose is to better understand how things were done in the past. By butchering the bison with stone tools, organizers say that participants will gain an understanding and deeper appreciation for Indigenous subsistence practices. Since butchering leaves marks on the bones, the bones will be added to the museums’ comparative collection for researchers to utilize in the future.

Archeologist Lawrence Todd will be facilitating the butchering event and guests can participate for $50 — a cost that includes the tool they will use plus a commemorative T-shirt.

The stone tools will be knapped at the Meeteetse Museums on Oct. 22 from 1-4 p.m. and all are welcome to attend, even those who are not participating in the bison butchering the following day.

Sam May and the Antlers Ranch is making the event possible, with Nature’s Design Taxidermy donating the cleaning of the bones.

Due to state law, the Meeteetse Museums staff say they cannot give meat to anyone helping butcher the bison, but every part of the animal will be used. In addition to the bones going to the museums, Jason Baldes will take parts for the Eastern Shoshone bison education project and the hide will be tanned and auctioned.

This event is part of the Museums’ larger Bison of the Bighorn Basin Project and will be filmed for a short YouTube video; participants will need to sign a release. Participants must RSVP by Oct. 5 to ensure there are enough stone tools and T-shirts for everyone involved. For more information, contact programs@meeteetsemuseums.org.