1987 Field Report
(Part
1)
by
Jean-Luc Pilon
NOGAP Archaeologist
Canadian Museum of
Civilization
New Archaeological Sites
Field No: 87JLP-1
Borden No: MkTi-14
Location: lac
au
Goéland
This site was located on the first day of combined
geomorphological-archaeological fieldwork conducted in company of
Dr.V.Rampton. Our initial stop was at our first 1985 campsite,
on lac
au Goéland. In 1985, some
evidence of prehistoric use of the lower
bench on the point in the middle of the west shore of the lake
had been
found beside a crumbling historic
cabin
(MkTi-8) (Pilon 1985:14). A
well-defined high terrace (elevation approximately 20 m) had been
noted
running parallel to the lake shore and had even been briefly
inspected,
but no systematic work was undertaken as its distance from the
lakeshore
and the hummucky appearance of part of the terrace had suggested
that
such an undertaking would be pointless.
At Vern Rampton's prompting, test pits were placed in
proximity to the terrace edge approximately 0.5 km south of the
cabin in
a fairly flat area. One of the first test pits yielded a handful
(10) of
pieces of debitage along with a biface fragment. However,
additional
shovel test pits in the surrounding area were fruitless.
The raw material diversity of this small collection is
quite
surprizing with at least four distinct stone types including both
fine-grained chert and coarser-grained, possibly metamorphic
rocks.
Field No: 87JLP-2
Borden No: MkTi-15
Location: lac
au
Goéland
A prominent (over 30 m high) terrace dominates the west
shore of
lac au Goéland in its northern portion. Geomorphological data
indicates
that this feature comprised the edge of a much larger lake body
some 13
000 years ago (Rampton 1987:23). Once again, at Vern Rampton's
suggestion we climbed the slope of the terrace at a point just
northwest
of MkTi-7 (85JLP-11). Upon ascending the steep face of the
bench,
distinctive adze-cut stumps were noted. A quick inspection of the
lobate
terrace edge resulted in the discovery of two oval depressions
measuring
2 m x 3 m and 2 m x 1.5 m respectively. The features lay 5-6 m
apart,
at the edge of the terrace. Berms were present, but very
flattened.
Test pits placed within the depressions of both structures were
impeded
by permafrost which was encountered under 15 cm of humus in one
case and
20 cm in the other. The substratum in each was a gravel matrix.
No
artifacts were found in these test pits or those placed elsewhere
on the
terrace in proximity to the general site locality.
Field No: 87JLP-3
Borden No: MkTk-8
Location: lac
à
la Truite
The middle portion of lac à la Truite
covers a very large rectangular area. In the southeastern corner
of
this section of the lake, a small stream enters the bottom of a
wide
embayment. At least three distinct, low benches occur at the
bottom of
the bay. Three or possibly four collapsed pole structures were
observed
strung out along the front of the second beach, roughly half-way
between
the stream mouth and the north shore of the bay. Three of these
consisted of spruce poles lying parallel to each other in a
manner
similar to an elevated cache platform. The fourth feature may
have been
a supply of firewood as there was much evidence of chopping, and
the
poles lacked the structured appearance of the other pole
clusters. A
few large pieces of tin were also noted in the general site
vicinity.
Field No: 87JLP-5, 87JLP-6
Borden No: MkTm-14,
MkTm-15
Location:
Sandy Lake
A brief stop was made at the mouth of the stream
entering
Sandy Lake from the west. Just to the north of the stream mouth
Cinq-Mars (1974:7) had earlier identified a prehistoric site
(MkTm-5).
This locality was re-visited by Morrison and he concluded that it
had
been completely destroyed through recent activity at the site by
personnel of the Department of National Defense and week-end
fishermen
from Inuvik (Morrison 1984:12). We therefore proceeded to
examine some
higher benches which were visible to the north.
A semi-subterranean feature (MkTm-15) was found at the
southern end of the first such bench north of the modern cabin.
The
oval depression measured approximately 1.5 m x 1.5 m x 0.6 m.
Only
slight elevations were visible along the sides. If lateral berms
were
once present, our difficulty in perceiving these may, in part, be
the
result of deflation following a forest fire which judging from
the dead
spruce trees strewn about, likely took place 50 to 75years ago
At present, the ground cover on the narrow ridge is
dominated
by grasses and lichens. Within the depression, the vegetation
has the
appearance of being somewhat more luxurious because of the
presence of
small bushes.
Continuing north along the east edge of the high
terrace,
which swings close to the modern shore of Sandy Lake, adze-cut
stumps
were noted to become more numerous as we approached the vestigial
outlet
of a small lake located a few hundred meters west of Sandy Lake.
Near
the juncture of the high terrace and the old stream, a test pit
produced
some fire-cracked rock and a few fragments (10) of calcined
bone. A
search of the area near the terrace edge and further inland as
far as
the small lake failed to produce any additional remains although
a more
concerted effort than was possible during this brief visit could
well
may prove rewarding. In part this perception is based on the
extensive
area over which adze-cut stumps were observed as well as the
quality of
the terrain which consists of flat, sandy, well-drained terraces.
Field No: 87JLP-7
Borden No: MlTo-1
Location:
Sunny
Lake
A single stop was made on Sunny Lake in
order to
examine the benches on either side of a small stream entering the
north
side of the lake. On the lowermost terrace east of the stream
mouth,
slightly more than 1 m above the waters of Sunny Lake, small test
pits,
likely made by D.Morrison during his1984 survey, were observed.
We thus
avoided this bench and proceeded to the higher benches, of which
at
least three could be distinguished.
On the fourth bench, near the crest of the slope which
plunged down to the stream, we discovered a number of adze-cut
stumps in
an area characterised by a fairly hummocky terrain, indicative of
a
thick organic layer. We soon located a rectangular depression
measuring
approximately 2.5 m x 1.5 m x 0.5 m with slight ridges along
either
side. These lateral ridges are further distinguished by a better
drainage as evidenced by the lichen growth which contrasted with
the
thick sphagnum of the depression's interior.
Crossing the stream, more adze-cut stumps were observed,
but
shovel testing of the terraces yielded only negative results and
no
semi-subterranean features were found. However, a more concerted
effort
would likely produce additional evidence of past human activity.
Field No: 87JLP-9
Borden No:
NbTk-1
Location: Simon
Lake
Following a brief but pleasant lunch in the
company of Mr.Willie Simon at the Aklak Air cabins on Kugaluk
Lake (the
next large lake downstream from lac à l'Aigle), we were led by
Mr.Simon
to the next and last lake downstream before the Kugaluk River
reaches
the brackish waters of the Eskimo Lakes. There, Mr.Simon assured
us, we
would be shown something very old. Mr.Simon left by rivers cow
while we
met him at Simon Lake following inspection of some exposures on
the
southeast shores of Kugaluk Lake
Flying over the northern extremity of Simon Lake we easily
spotted the remains of at least two historic cabins, both of them
collapsed and unserviceable. Upon landing, Mr.Simon showed us
the end
of a hollowed out log which had most likely served as a coffin.
It lay
in the willows, just a few metres from the water's edge and in
all
likelihood, had been brought there by water and wave
action.
Further away from the shore we were shown the remains of two
additional
cabins which had not been visible from the air. They consisted
of only
the foundation logs. The ends of the extant timbers had been cut
with
an axe , but appeared to be quite old. I suspect that these two
cabins
may have provided firewood for the occupants of the collapsed
cabin
located yet further away from the water's edge, directly behind
the
cabin foundations, on a higher bench. That third structure
probably
dates to the 1930's or 1940's judging from its state of collapse,
which
is not advanced. Behind this cabin, to the west, is along narrow
ridge,
possibly an esker, running in a general north-south direction.
The
Kugaluk River actually flows around the south end of this ridge
before
resuming its northerly course. Near the end of this feature are
a
number of small hillocks (kames?) and narrow benches.
A
large depression (Structure No.4) was discovered on the
first small knoll north of the cabin, which virtually encompassed
the
hilltop. The internal dimensions of the depression were found to
be
approximately 7 m x 4 m x 1.5 m. Because the depression
emcompassed the
top of the hill, the limits of the berms could not be
distinguished from
the sides of the hill, if such features in fact existed.
Willow bushes occurred within the depression while
grasses
and lichens predominated elsewhere. The vegetation cover was,
however,
quite sparse and in many areas, especially on the slope just
outside the
depression, the shaly matrix of the hill could be seen.
A second structure (Structure No.2) was located approximately
40-45 m to the northwest of the first. This feature consisted
of a
rectangular depression with near-vertical sides. Distinct
longitudinal
berms were noted along either side of the depression, as were
wooden
poles, partially buried under the berm deposits. The ends of two
of the
poles had clearly been cut with steel axes. The internal
dimensions of
the depression were estimated to be 5.5 m x 2 m x 0.8 m. The
vegetation
within the depression was dominated by mosses and grasses while
that
growing on the berms reflected a drier soil and included more
lichens.
As with the first structure, the shaly nature of the terrace
matrix was
apparent along the top of the berm.
A short distance away, again to the northeast, a
square to
circular depression surrounded by a low berm was found
(Structure
No.3). This feature was located at the edge of an open stand of
spruce
trees. The vegetation covering of the surrounding area and the
berm
consisted of a thick moss and caribou lichen carpet while the
depression
was filled with sphagnum moss. The internal dimensions of the
feature
are approximately 1.5 m x 1.5 m x 0.5 m.
Within the
general
area of these three structures, numerous axe-cut stumps were
found along
with the occasional adze-cut stump. Indeed, the discovery of
axe-cut
poles lying adjacent to the well-preserved depression of
Structure No.2
strongly suggest that at least that structure, and perhaps even
the
first feature (Structure No.4), date to the historic period, a
time when
metal tools were readily available. Conversely, the third
structure
(Structure No.3), differing in size, location and apparent age,
may be
associated with the adze-cut stumps and would thus be of
prehistoric
age.
At the other extremity of the esker, to the southwest, a
fourth semi-subterranean structure was located within a cluster
of
adze-cut stumps (Structure No.1). Observations could only be
made with
some difficulty as the interior of the rectangular depression
(approximately 4 m x 2 m x 1 m) had quite subtantial spruce trees
growing in it as well as on the longitudina lberms. This in
itself can
be taken as a good indicator of length of time since abandonment
of the
structure as some of these trees exceeded 15 cm in basal
diameter.
However, an even more revealing fact was the discovery of an
axe-cut
stump within the depression whose basal diameter exceeded 20 cm.
Without doubt there are more archaeological resources at
this
site locality. We observed additional clusters of adze-cut
stumps at
the southeast end of the esker and a careful inspection of the
benches
found along the sides of the esker would surely reveal additional
evidence of use by man. In addition, Mr.Simon indicated a
prominent
kame in the northeast part of the lake, across from the old
cabins which
he had first shown us, where a cemetery of some description is
supposed
to have existed. Although this remains to be demonstrated, the
dug-out
coffin does provide a tantilizing clue about the truth of this
assertion. Furthermore, an inspection of the benches between the
cabins
and this kame would also likely produce interesting discoveries.
Test excavations were conducted in Structure No.2 in 1990.
Field No: 87JLP-10
Borden No:
NbTj-1
Location: Hyndman
Lake Lake
The landscape of the southeastern extremity of Hyndman
Lake
is dominated by a number of north-south trending eskers and kame
features. A long ridge, approximately 5 m in elevation and
150-200 m in
length, forms the west side of a small embayment in the southern
portion
of the eastern shore of the lake. This narrow ridge consists of
gravel
and boulders, and includes many chert nodules along with other
raw
materials in tabular form such as found on two other sites on the
lake.
Shovel test pits placed along the top of the ridge
yielded
non-calcined faunal remains, fine-grained chert debitage, a
biface tip
and numerous flakes of a very coarse-grained raw material.
At the northern end of the ridge we observed a number of
adze-cut stumps. Between this area and the kame or hillock to the
east
is a low-lying stretch of muskeg, roughly 40 m wide, lacking
arboreal
vegetation. However, trees are once again encountered on the
steep
slopes of the kame, as are adze-cut stumps. Close inspection
resulted in
the discovery of two semi-subterranean features.
The first structure was located at the base of the kame
and
measured 2.2 m x 2.0 m x 0.3 m. A well-defined berm was noted on
three
of the four sides. The interior was characterised by a thick
layer of
sphagnum while the berm supported a thick carpet of caribou moss.
The second semi-subterranean feature was found on the
very
top of the kame, at an elevation of well over 20 m. The internal
dimensions of the oval depression are approximately 2.4 m x 1.6 m
x 0.50
m. A berm is visible oneither side of the depression, but it is
difficult to delineate since the hilltop is so narrow and the
sides of
the hill seem to be continuous with the berms. The vegetation
atop the
kame is dominated by lichens with some bushes while the interior
of the
depression is filled with sphagnum.
Additional work was conducted at this site in 1990 and 1992.
Field No: 87JLP-13
Borden No: MlTk-10
Location:
lac à
la Truite
On the north shore of the widest part of the narrows
separating the central portion of lac à la Truite from its
western lobe,
a cluster of adze-cut stumps was discovered on the south side of
a hill
located about 1 km from the present shore of the lake. The slope
is
fairly steep with small level areas occurring. A roughly
rectangular
depression, measuring approximately 2 m x 1 m, was noted.
However, the
existence of numerous wide frost cracks on the slope renders the
identification of this feature tenuous to say the least. On the
other
hand, the density of adze-cut stumps compels me to believe that
evidence
of past human use of this locality is to be found.
Field No: 87JLP-14
Borden No: MlTk-13
Location:
lac à
la Truite
Immediately east of the long spit on the south side of
the
western narrows of lacà la Truite is a small embayment at the
mouth of
an ancient spillway associated with an outwash delta (Rampton
1987:2,8). A few adze-cut and axe-cut stumps were observed near
the
south end of the embayment and some fire-cracked rocks were found
in a
shovel test pit on the low bench forming the northwest extremity
of the
bay.
Field No: 87JLP-15
Borden No: MlTk-19
Location:
lac à
la Truite
Erosion on the eastern margin of the long spit on the
south
side of the western narrows of lac à la Truite is responsible for
both
the discovery and destruction of most of this site. Much of the
extremity of this spit consists of a low (1-2 m) bench covered
with a
thick organic layer. However, the eastern edge of the spit
comprises
the remnant of a higher (2-3 m) gravelly terrace, of which little
remains as a consequence of active beach erosion.
A few faunal remains along with some lithic debitage and
fire-cracked rocks were discovered in the sod along the top edge
of the
eroding bench. Subsequent test pits placed immediately behind
this edge
produced additional lithic debitage and one bone, all in the sod
level.
Field No: 87JLP-16
Borden No: MkTk-7
Location: lac
à
la Truite
In the southeast corner of the central portion of lac à
la
Truite is a wide embayment. Just north of this bay is a large
lake
whose water level is on the order of 20-30 m above those of lacà
la
Truite. At present there is only a narrow band remaining of the
sand
bluff which maintains the western edge of the lake. This lake's
outlet
stream is on its south side and empties into the wide embayment.
On
either side of the outlet stream's mouth, adze-cut stumps were
noted.
In addition to these, an oval to rectangular depression measuring
approximately 2 m x 1 m x 0.4 m was located in the end of a
lobate bench
(over 4.50 m above lake level) east of the stream. Lateral berms
were
difficult to perceive.
Field No: 87JLP-17
Borden No: MlTk-11
Location:
lac à
la Truite
In the middle of the north shore of the western narrows
of
lac à laTruite, inland from the first point east of the western
end of
the narrows, a cluster of adze-cut stumps was discovered on the
side of
a fairly steep, wooded slope. Above this concentration of
stumps, we
recorded a rectangular depression (approximately 3 m x 1 m x 0.50
m)
with quite vertical sides. Lateral ridges which could be berm
deposits
were quite prominent. A test pit placed within the depression
exposed
some rotting wooden poles and some charcoal.
In spite of the 16-17 degree slope of the hillside, this
feature is quite similar to semi-subterranean structures which we
have
noted elsewhere. Its location on such an inclined surface and at
an
elevation of approximately 15-20 m above lake level should
perhaps be
viewed as an indication of the latitude permissable when chosing
suitable areas for the construction of such features.
Field No: 87JLP-18
Borden No: MlTk-12
Location:
lac à
la Truite
Several adze-cut stumps were observed on the slope of
the
high bench behind the first point west of the outlet stream on
the north
shore of the western narrows of lac à la Truite.
The identification of this site is even more tenuous
than is
the case with MlTk-10 (87JLP-13) in the sense that although we
located a
cluster of adze-cut stumps, our investigation did not result in
the
discovery of any other evidence of past use which may be
associated with
the cutting of a large number of trees. Without a doubt, such
clusters
of adze-cut stumps must be metaphorically described as smoke from
a
nearby fire. A number of quite suitable benches are located
adjacent to
the concentration of stumps and it is expected that a more
concerted
effort would yield positive results.
Field No: 87JLP-19
Borden No: MkTi-13
Location:
lac au
Goéland
An historic site was recorded on a slight point at the
middle
of the southern end of lac au Goéland. This fairly recent site
consists
of the remains of a log cabin, a rectangular ground cache located
adjacent to the cabin, a collapsed raised cache and a large log
and pole
structure of unknown function. This site is fairly well
concealed in
spite of its proximity to the lake edge by poplar and spruce
trees.
The cabin measured approximately 3 m x 4 m and the log
walls
were joined at the corners by saddle joints. The ends of the
logs had
been sawn square.
The ground cache, dug on the east side of the cabin,
consisted of a rectangular, steep-sided hole (approximately 3 m x
1 m x
0.4 m). There were no lateral accumulations of soil to indicate
that
soil had been somehow used to close the feature once filled.
About 20 m to the east of the cabin, in a small clearing we
recorded a structure consisting of long poles (at least 7 m long)
lying
on top of five short support logs cut from a very large tree.
These
support logs measured approximately 2 m in length and had been
placed at
fairly regular intervals. The function of this structure is
unknown.
Lastly, the remains of a collapsed raised cache with two
of
the support posts still standing was recorded a few meters west
of the
cabin.
This site, along with numerous others located to the
south
and east of lac au Goéland were most likely entirely destroyed
this past
summer by a forest fire which raged between lac au Goéland and
the valley
of the Thunder River.
Field No: 87JLP-20
Borden No: NbTj-2
Location:
Hyndman
Lake
Upon leaving Hyndman Lake by its outlet stream in the
southeast corner, one soon enters a small lake divided in the
middle by
a long spit on the north shore. Immediately north of this spit
we
examined a series of benches for evidence of past use. Many
adze-cut
stumps were thus located. However, it was only on the edge of
the
second lowest bench that a semi-subterranean feature was
discovered. At
that point there is a small, hummocky valley cutting across a
number of
benches.
The shallow depression is circular or square, measuring
approximately 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 0.3 m. A berm is only visible on
the
downhill side of the structure.
The vegetation surrounding the feature is an open
spruce-lichen forest. The depression itself is filled with
sphagnum moss
which is frozen 10 cm below the surface.
Two small test pits were excavated. The first was
located on
the imperceptible north berm, about 30 cm from the depression
edge.
Under the sod a layer of gravelly material (5-10 cm) was found to
overlie a buried humus horizon (3-5 cm) in which a large black
chert
flake was recovered A second small test pit was excavated near
the
western edge of the depression and revealed rotting poles
oriented in
the direction of one of the depression's axes, just under the
sod.
Field No: 87JLP-21
Borden No: NbTj-3
Location:
Hyndman Lake
As mentioned earlier, there are a number of quite
distinctive
ridges and hills, likely of glacial origin, in the southeast
portion of
Hyndman Lake. One very prominent esker runs parallel to the east
shore
of the lake and ends just north of the lake's outlet stream. At
least
three benches were cut into the narrow ridge at this point and
cultural
materials were discovered on the two lower benches (elevations of
approximately 20 and 25 m above lake level). Artifacts were
intially
revealed by examination of the numerous
tree falls which have occurred
since a forest fire swept through the area 50 or more years ago.
Following the initial
discoveries,
shovel test pits were
excavated in order to attempt to delimit the extent of the site.
Artifacts were thus recovered from quite a wide area measuring at
least
40-50 m x 40-50 m. The scatter of artifacts from the higher
bench to
the lower one may be continuous, but it is virtually impossible
to
determine how many separate occupation episodes may be
represented.
From any position on the site an excellent view is
afforded
of both Hyndman Lake and the first small lake downstream from
Hyndman
Lake. This area is a natural crossing for caribou and so there
is
little doubt about the reasons for selecting this site locality.
The artifact collection includes of over 200 pieces of
debitage. Raw materials utilized range from fine-grained cherts
to a
coarser-grained material occurring naturally in thin tabular
form. Two
of these otherwise unmodified, thin tablets have been burinated.
Other
artifacts include what appear to be microblade fragments (8),
chi-thos
(3), a hammerstone, a biface fragment and a crude scraper.
Fire-cracked rocks were also found in one test pit along
with
a few minute and highly calcined bone fragments. We can thus
suppose
that this locality functioned not only as a lookout station, but
also
served as a camp at sometime during its occupation.
At the base of the ridge, on Hyndman Lake, an abandoned
cabin
using sod as a roofing element was observed. The floor of the
cabin was
partly sunk into the low bench surface and one cannot help but
wonder if
the excavated floor and the roofing materials do not somehow
represent a
vestige of older construction methods grafted onto an essentially
European house style.
Additional work was carried out at this site in 1988 and in
1990.
Field No: 87JLP-22
Borden No: NbTj-4
Location:
Hyndman
Lake
Proceeding further south from NbTj-3, the landscape
becomes
quite hummocky and poorly drained. However, the land surface
soon rises
to a long ridge which forms the south side of the western lobe of
the
first small lake downstream from Hyndman Lake.
At the west end of this flattened ridge we discovered
over
100 pieces of fine-grained chert debitage, a scraper and a chert
core.
Elsewhere along the north edge of the ridge we found a cobble
spall and
a retouched tabular nodule.
At the eastern end of the ridge, just as the slope began
its
descent to the river, we discovered a small semi-subterranean
feature in
general proximity to a number of adze-cut stumps. The vegetation
in the
area is dominated by anopen spruce-lichen forest. The depression
is
filled with sphagnum moss, frozen just a few centimetres under
the
surface. The depression measured approximately 1.40 m x 1.20 m x
0.40
m. A distinct ridge adjacent to the depression was noted on the
south
and east sides.
Field No: 87JLP-23
Borden No:
NbTj-9
Location: Hyndman
Lake
At least two distinct low benches occur in the northern
portion of the east shore of Hyndman Lake. They consist of
well-drained
linear sand deposits surrounded by hummocky terrain. The first
bench is
adjacent to the lake while the second is 500-700 m inland. Four
pieces
of chert debitage were found on this second bench.
Additional work was carried out at this site in 1990 and in
1992.
