1988 Field Report
(Part
1)
by
Jean-Luc Pilon
NOGAP Archaeologist
Canadian Museum of Civilization
New Archaeological Sites
Hyndman Lake Area
In addition to the excavations planned at two of the sites
identified in 1987, archaeological activities at Hyndman Lake also
included a continuation of the original brief survey. Efforts were
concentrated in the eastern portion of the lake and in particular
in a broad valley which enters Hyndman Lake on the north side. The
stream which occupies this valley, which attains a maximum width of
1.5 km at its mouth, rarely exceeds 20 metres in width. Barely 1
km from Hyndman Lake, it becomes a meandering, tree-strewn
watercourse.
Within the broad valley, three features caught our attention
during the daily boat ride between 87JLP-24 and 87JLP-21. The most
obvious was the terrace system on either side of the stream mouth.
The second was an esker located approximately 1.5 km up stream.
Because of a marked bend in the course of the stream, this
topographic feature is quite apparent from a distance since it
dominates the low valley bottom by well over 30 metres. The stream
actually swings around the esker but remains distant from it by
about 0.5 km. The last area within this valley which seemed to
warrant further investigation was a small protuberance near the
western corner of the valley outlet, about 0.5 km from the edge of
Hyndman Lake. From the lake it appeared as a kame up against the
edge of the valley wall. Following our inspection of this
locality, it now seems that it may be no more than a particularly
marked protrusion of the lobate edge of the upper bench, the sides
of which form the valley wall. Archaeological remains collected
at all three localities are described below.
Field No: 88JLP-1
Borden No: NbTj-11
The terrace system at the mouth of the stream is comprised of
two distinct benches. Both benches are best described as lying
parallel to the shores of Hyndman Lake rather than the stream. We
inspected the terraces on either side of the stream mouth and found
evidence of a prehistoric occupation on the highest terrace on east
side of the stream. At a distince of about 200 m from the stream,
the open spruce-lichen forest is replaced by a treeless expanse of
caribou moss. Two clusters of fire-cracked rocks were noted
protruding from beneath the relatively thin carpet of moss. A few
adze-cut stumps were also noticed among the trees in the general
vicinity. Shovel testing in one of the possible hearth areas
yielded a few calcined/charred bone fragments as well as a single
siliceous argillite flake.
Additional artifacts were collected from this locality in 1990.
Field No: 88JLP-3
Borden No: NbTj-12
The esker mentioned earlier is actually a trident-shaped
formation, with the handle pointing roughly north and the three
prongs extending southward, in the direction of Hyndman Lake. In
our survey of this feature, we climbed the steep face of the centre
prong when we first reached the esker, swung onto the eastern
section where we located a hearth area (88JLP-3), followed the long
northward extension, where we found a semi-subterranean feature
(88JLP-4), and ended our reconnaissance by examining the western
prong and descending its steep face.
The hearth feature was found on a narrow ridge about 100 m
east of the juncture of the major divisions of this topographic
feature. Fire-cracked rocks protruded through the thin moss and
lichen cover over an area covering approximately 4 square metres.
Badly decomposed poles lying in the vegetation cover suggested some
kind of structure was once located nearby. Limited shovel testing
failed to reveal additional cultural remains. Both adze-cut and
axe-cut stumps were observed in the general site vicinity.
Field No: 88JLP-4
Borden No: NbTj-13
About mid-way along the crest of the northward portion of the
esker a semi-subterranean feature was located. The approximate
dimensions of the depression are 1.75 m x 0.75 m x 0.4 m. Very
obvious ridges occur on either side of the depression, but no such
features were visible at the ends. The berms measured about 5 m in
length. At least one badly-preserved poles was noted jutting out
from under the gravelly deposits of the eastern berm. It lay
parallel to the depression.
The vegetation on the berms was a sparse covering of lichens
and grasses while that within the depression was a thick sphagnum
carpet. Within this sphagnum layer, limited testing revealed
additional poles lying parallel to the long axis of the depression.
Permafrost was not encountered.
Field No: 88JLP-18
Borden No: NbTj-18
Upon climbing the steep face of the kame-like feature located
on the west side of the valley, I fully expected to find nothing
more than a beautiful view of that valley. Indeed, in addition to
a carefully grass and twig-lined grizzly bear den just below the
lip of this high bench, a very wide portion of the valley could be
surveyed from this locality. Quite distinct was the course of the
stream, the esker where 88JLP-3 and 4 (NbTj-12 and 13) are located,
and all the broad, sparsely-treed valley floor below. It is thus
an ideal look-out for hunters seeking migrating caribou.
The initial shovel test pit positioned about 5-7 m from the
edge of the bench confirmed the prehistoric use of this locality.
Twenty-four pieces of debitage,
including what may be the proximal portion of a microblade, were found with a core/biface fragment.
The predominant raw material was black to grey siliceous argillite.
However, one specimen was made of distinctive welded tuff and another
of a blue-grey chert. The artifacts were found in an area
measuring approximately 50 cm x 50 cm. A cursory analysis of the
artifacts indicates both primary and secondary reduction was being
performed.
Field No: 88JLP-17
Borden No: NbTj-17
Unlike the previously
described sites, this locality is found not on the broad valley on the
north side of the lake, but rather on
Hyndman Lake's outlet system. From 87JLP-21, situated on the
southern end of the long esker forming the east end of Hyndman Lake, one
has a good view of two small lakes on
the east side of the esker which
are fed by a stream leaving Hyndman
Lake in its southeast corner. In the southeast corner of the second
of these small lakes is the outlet stream leading to another fairly
large lake and eventually flowing eastward to the Wolverine River,
itself emptying into the Anderson River). On the north side of the head
of this outlet stream, there are at least two benches. Artifacts were
found in at least three shovel test pits near the
edge of the highest of the
terraces, at a distance of approximately 75 m from the stream and 50
m from the lake.
Although the collection from all test
pits combined consists only of 12 specimens, the variety is remarkable
by southwest Anderson Plain standards, both at the raw material level
and with respect to the range of artifacts found.
The
collection includes two spalled burin fragments. The first, made of a
fine-grained variegated grey chert is the middle section of a burin with
a single burin spall removed from one edge. The dorsal surface shows
parallel flake scars. The unmodifed lateral edge is marginally retouched
with invasive flaking of the tool's basal area.
A
second item was found which may be the distal end of a burin. Very
heavy edge wear is visible on the distal and lateral edge opposite the
spalled edge. The tool is unifacially retouched. Minute flakes scars
occur on this same side which originated from the spalled edge.
Other artifacts include a pièce esquillée, a
bifacial retouch flake made from a very coarse-grained metamorphic rock,
a possible primary burin spall, and 7 pieces of debitage of fine-grained
cherts and siliceous argillite.
(Additional work was carried out at
NbTj-17 in 1990)
Big Woman Lake-Spillway Lake Survey
As mentioned in the introduction, these two lakes were
surveyed between July 8 and 16 by Mr. Willie Simon and myself.
These two lakes lie within the same ancient meandering river bed as
Hyndman Lake. I expected to encounter remains which could relate
to the materials found at Hyndman Lake since these two lakes flow
into the latter.
This section will first present descriptions of the
archaeological sites encountered on these two lakes, followed by a
discussion of possible recent geomorphological events which may
have directly affected our perception of the landscape and,
indirectly, the results of the survey.
Big Woman Lake
Field No: 88JLP-7
Borden No: NaTj-1
This site is located on the tip of the wide point extending
into Big Woman Lake from the north shore in the westernmost section
of the lake. In fact, this point forms a marked narrows in the
lake. Since we established our first camp at this locality, it
received significantly more attention than did the other sites on
this lake.
The site consists of two separate loci; one obviously
historic, likely recent (within the past 20-30 years), while the
second is prehistoric or at least early historic.
The youngest component of this site is located approximately
on the narrow bench (elevation about 3-4 m above lake level), about
75 metres from the tip of the point. The locality consists of a
narrow terrace (5-7 m) with an actively eroding, steep front,
behind which is a low, poorly drained area (7-10 m in width),
separating the low bench from the steep embankment of the upper
terrace.
Two apparent collapsed pole structures were recorded. One is
comprised poles forming a rectangular to square outline (3-4 m x
3-4 m). Such poles would have been used at the bottoms of the
walls of a canvas tent. Wedged between the bottom stakes and the
canvas, such poles help keep the skirt of the tent well anchored.
In association were tin cans of the type used to contain baking
powder and the remains of a wooden box.
About 10 metres to the east a collapsed pole structure
suggested a different construction. The poles (at least 6 were
visible) were lying in a radiating pattern such as to suggest they
were originally tied together at their apexes, forming a `tipi'
structure.
Atop the upper bench a high number (more than 25) of
adze-cut
stumps were observed. Many of these had been cut quite
close to
the ground, thus suggesting there was little if any snow at this
time. In spite of all our efforts, on more than one occasion, no
visible structures were encountered. However, shovel test pitting
revealed the proximity to a hearth area in a small clump of spruce
trees, near the centre of the adze-cut tree concentration. This
area of positive test pits was found near the southern edge of the
high terrace, more or less directly north of the pole structures on
the lower bench.
Evidence attesting to the prior use of this upper bench was
found in four shovel test pits located within a few metres of each
other. This material consisted of fire-cracked rock and large
mammal bone (16), in all likelihood, caribou.
Field No: 88JLP-9
Borden No: NaTj-2
The middle portion of Big Woman Lake is characterized by a
marked narrowing of the lake. On the south side there is a low
point at this narrows. No archaeological remains were encountered.
However, immediately west of this point are two high benches, on
the lower of which historic remains were recorded, in addition to
a single adze-cut stump.
The remains of two square to rectangular tent emplacements
were identified by both poles and flooring boughs. Stove supports
were also visible in one of the structures; short logs with wide
charred concavities on their upper surfaces. A variety of
artifacts lay strewn in the general vicinity of the tent
emplacements. Their conditions were such that it was possible to
read the labels on a number of the
metal containers. These include
baking powder tins, tobacco cans, some of which had been modified
for use as candle lanterns, coffee cans, etc. The principal
occupation therefore relates to the 1940s or 1950s. One particular
pole was identified by Willie Simon as the handle of an ice chisel.
Willie related how it was easier to simply remove the steel bit and
fashion a new handle later when the camp was moved or at the end of
the season.
We also recorded an area near the tents were the dogs had been
tied up. Brush had been cleared around a number of widely spaced
small trees to which the dogs had been tied. Nearby was a hearth
apparently used to cook the dogs' meals. The large amount of wood
chips in the vicinity also indicated the general location of the
wood pile.
A single adze-cut stump was located at the back of this bench,
perhaps 100 m from the water's edge.
Mr. Simon also noted the initials MB on the lid of a tobacco
can and the initials GB on another metal surface. The first pair
may be those of Magnus Burke of Arctic Red River who trapped in
this area 20-30 years ago.
Field No: 88JLP-10
Borden No: NaTj-3
We decided to stop along a stretch of shoreline just east of
the wide point in the western portion of Big Woman Lake. All along
this portion of the north shore there is a narrow (7-10 m wide)
bench (3-5 m high) which is kept quite steep by wave action. There
was no particular reason for chosing this locality with the
exception that it is at the outlet of a valley leading inland to a
series of small lakes. It may therefore tie into a trapline which
extended into the interior.
In any event, we located the remains of two square to
rectangular tent emplacements; one was located on the lower, narrow
bench while the other was near the edge of the upper terrace. The
condition of the poles suggested these tent emplacements were a bit
older than those of 88JLP-9 (NaTj-2).
Slightly notched log stove supports were associated with the
lower structure. No such logs were noted in the upper structure,
but the vegetation cover was much thicker and could have obstructed
the view of such logs. A short section of 5 inch stove pipe was
noted in proximity to the upper tent emplacement along with the lid
of a tobacco can.
Spillway Lake
The shoreline of Spillway Lake--this is not its official or
even unofficial name, rather it is simply a temporary
designation--is fairly complex. This situation is compounded by
what appears to have been fairly recent geomorphological changes
resulting from a rapid lowering of the lake levels. This in turn
leads to considerable difficulties in describing the locations of
the various sites which we found. As such, the interested reader
should consult the map quite closely in order to understand the
written descriptions which may seem somewhat convoluted at times.
For convenience sake, the lake is divided into four lobes; the
northern, the central, the southern and the eastern.
Field No: 88JLP-11
Borden No: NbTj-14
This locality is found on the north shore of the central lobe
of Spillway Lake, about 1 km east of the narrows linking that lobe
with the northern lobe of the lake. Two very prominent benches
were initially noted between Spillway lake and a small lake 100-200
metres inland. The front of the lower terrace is quite steep and
sandy. The sparse vegetation cover has not stabilized the surface
of the steep slope, which has the appearance of being actively
eroded.
The top of this terrace is remarkably flat and covered with
numerous pebbles and a sparse vegetation cover over much of its
surface, especially near its junction with the upper bench. Spruce
trees are found along some stretches of its front edge. The upper
terrace is only 1-2 m higher than the first. Although it is treed,
its front edge is steep and denuded. A few adze-cut stumps were
noted on the narrow (7-10 m) upper terrace which gradually drops
off toward the small lake. This upper terrace is not continuous
around the lake, but rather has the appearance of a former island
or narrow point.
Eroding from this upper bench were at least two concentrations
of fire-cracked rocks. Limited testing at one of these produced 12
pieces of faunal bone, three of which were calcined. A single
coarse-grained flake was found on the lower terrace near the base
of the upper terrace front. Additional shovel test pits on both
terraces were negative.
Field No: 88JLP-12
Borden No: NbTj-15
The southern lobe of Spillway Lake is formed by a wide point on the
west side. About half a kilometre
south of the tip of this point is are two very prominent benches
made even more obvious by the erosion of the steep slope of the
narrow (10-15 m in width) lower terrace (5-7 m in height).
Although the slope leading up to the high terrace was also quite
steep, its surface was stabilized by grass and lichen growth.
Inspection of the flat lower bench proved negetative.
However, a few fire-cracked rock were noted eroding from the edge
of the upper bench (elevation approximately 15 m above the lake).
In the southern extremity of the site area--delimited by a
gully--there is a slight rise on top of which a number of shovel
test pits yielded indications of prehistoric occupation.
Fire-cracked rock, lithic debitage (40 minute flakes), and both
calcined (39) and non-thermally modified bone (6) were found about
5 m from the edge of the steep slope. Quite a few adze-cut stumps
were noted in the general vicinity of the rise. None were seen on
the lower terrace.
Field No: 88JLP-13
Borden No: NaTj-4
A prominent hill was noted approximately 200-300 m south of
88JLP-12 (NbTj-15). Although a lower terrace was present,
corresponding more or less to that found at 88JLP-12, it was only
3-5 metres in width and composed of cobbles and boulders. The
slope leading up to the upper terrace edge (about 15 metres above
the lake) was entirely covered with an open black spruce forest.
The vegetation on the top of this slope was a hummocky terrain
ordinarily impossible to survey. However, a fairly large black
spruce tree had recently been blown over near the edge of the
bench. Inspection of the scar and the soil held in the tree roots
revealed fire-cracked rocks. Further limited shovel testing
produced four pieces of siliceous argillite debitage, 43 pieces of
faunal bone, 42 of which were calcined or charred, and additional
fire-cracked rock.
Field No: 88JLP-14
Borden No: NaTj-5
The southeastern portion of the southern lobe of Spillway Lake
is characterized by a relatively narrow lower bench, ranging in
width from 5 metres to as much as 15 metres, and a much dissected
upper terrace. Along the eastern shore the upper bench is fairly
extensive and regular, while along the southern portion a number of
gullies cut through the bench. The situation is confused even
further by what appear to be a series of eskers some distance
inland.
The sectors described above were extensively examined for
evidence of human use. Along the edge of the upper terrace (over
20 m in height) a very high number of adze-cut stumps were noted
for over half a kilometre. In spite of test pitting efforts and a
relatively careful scrutiny of the vicinity of the stump clusters,
no additional indications of use were found.
In the southern sector a similar situation prevailed, with
adze-cut stumps being found on some of the eskers or sinuous narrow
ridges located at over 1/2 km from the lake's edge. However,
additional evidence of past use was found on one of the lower
eskers or ridges. It consisted of a slight, square to oval
depression measuring perhaps 1.5 m in diametre. The interior was
filled with a thick layer of sphagnum moss, at the base of which a
large quantity of fire-cracked rock, charred wood and charcoal, and
a few minute calcined bone fragments were found. Shovel testing in
the general area failed to yield additional artifacts.
Field No: 88JLP-15
Borden No: NbTj-16
This locality is situated in the northwestern sector of the
eastern lobe of Spillway Lake, about 1/2 km east of the point on
the north shore which marks the western edge of that portion of the
lake. Like all other sites on this lake, it consists of a lower
narrow bench and a higher terrace.
In this particular situation fire-cracked were noted near the
base of the steep treed yet hummocky slope, just above its point of
juncture with the lower terrace. Test pits on the lower terrace
were negative. However, test pits in the vicinity of the
fire-cracked rock themselves demonstrate that these rocks were in
situ, and had not eroded from above nor been thrown up from below.
This was clear since we found additional fire-cracked rocks, flecks
of charcoal, faunal bone of which some was calcined, and an organic
soil matrix typical of hearth features.
Geomorphological Changes of Spillway and Big Woman Lakes-A
Hypothesis
Three features of the Big Woman and Spillway Lakes prompted me
to consider geomorphological changes that may have occurred in
fairly recent times which resulted in the discoveries which we did
make, and just as importantly, in the lack of sites in other areas.
The first anomaly is the observation that in spite of the
presence of quite suitable sand terraces around the perimeters of
both lakes, no archaeological remains were found on the lower
benches with the exception of fairly recent historic tent
emplacements. Indeed, whenever prehistoric or presumed prehistoric
remains were found, these occurred on the higher terraces behind
the lower one. It may be that in some circumstances there was a
need to locate the campsite at a greater elevation or in a more
exposed situation. Yet the total absence of any indications on the
low bench (3-5 metres on Big Woman Lake and slightly higher on
Spillway Lake) is in marked contrast to patterns recorded on just
about every lake we have examined to date in the southwest Anderson
Plain.
The second feature which poses some cause for suspecting that
the landscape of these lakes has been modified in the recent past
is the existence of a narrow, flat, sandy bench around the
perimeter of both lakes. As notes above, this lower bench seems
slightly higher in Spillway Lake than in Big Woman Lake. In
addition, the height of this bench seemed to correspond with what
would have been the bed of a former stream leading from the
northeast sector of the central lobe of Spillway Lake to the
northeast sector of the northern lobe of that same lake. In fact,
88JLP-11 (NbTj-14) would have been a small island at the head of
that stream at some point.
The third observation relating to this question is the absence
of a low bench on either side of the narrow channel linking the
central lobe of Spillway Lake to the northern lobe as well as from
the northern lobe itself. This absence contrasts with the
shoreline around the rest of the lake.
Based on these observations, I suggest that within the past
two centuries or so (i.e. sometime after contact with
Euro-Canadians) the stream which had drained Spillway Lake for
millenia was abandonned following the establishment of a narrow
channel through the equally narrow ridge which had formerly
separated what I have designated the northern and central lobes of
Spillway Lake. This process appears to have been quite rapid, and
resulted in the dropping of lake levels by 3-5 metres, leaving a
distinctive flat yet narrow bench around the margin of the lake.
A secondary effect resulting from the rapid lowering of the
lake levels was undoubtedly a marked change in the permafrost
regimen along the lakes' perimeters. Archaeological discoveries at
88JLP-15 and at the head of the stream leading to Hyndman Lake
revealed apparently in situ archaeological materials on the
relatively steep, hummocky slope leading to the higher terraces.
The instability of the slope and its slumping may directly
correlate with the newly modified levels of permafrost.
Simon Lake (Kugaluk River)
When we were first stopped at the camp of Willard Hagen on
Kugaluk Lake in 1987 we met Mr. Willie Simon who encouraged us to
examine a locality on the next lake downstream on the Kugaluk
River. There we identified the remains of at least four
semi-subterranean structures and numerous historic cabins in
various states of disrepair. To recognize the help provided to us
by Mr. Simon I designated that lake as Simon Lake in my 1987 field
report.
This summer, Mr. Simon worked with us at Hyndman Lake. I have
since been told that not only is this Mr. Simon's trapping
territory, but it was also his father's. Indeed, Mr. Simon has
indicated that Hyndman Lake is referred to as Simon Lake. No one
seems to known where the name Hyndman came from.
Having explained this situation, I recognize the great
difficulties which come about as a result of ignorance of local
toponomy. I do not wish to contribute to this growing problem of
the multiplication of names, and hence I have chosen to write this
lengthy preamble. I will continue to use Hyndman Lake since it is
the name used on topographic maps. Likewise, I have set a
precedent for myself as regards the name of the lake on the Kugaluk
River, Simon Lake. For the sake of consistency, I will continue to
use that name. I can only encourage the Native communities in the
lower Mackenzie Valley to take it upon themselves to correct the
toponymic mix-up. Although the use of a great number of exotic
place names is now entrenched, certainly local place names could
also be provided.
Field No: 88JLP-5
Borden No: NbTk-2
In 1987, Mr. Simon had related to us the possible existence of
burials on a kame in the northeast sector of the lake. When we
reached the top of this feature we observed a rectangular
depression which could be taken for a grave. The feature measured
approximately 3 m x 1 m x 0.75 m. No berm was noted, but the top
of the kame is no narrow that such a deposit, if present, could not
be distinguished from the front and back slopes of the kame.
Lac à l'Aigle (Lure Lake)
Field No: 88JLP-6
Borden No: MlTk-16
This locality was identified by Mr. Willie Simon who had been
cutting trees in the vicinity last year for use in the construction
of a cabin across the lake from the site. Mr. Simon has observed
similar semi-subterranean structures and adze-cut stumps at a
number of localities throughout the southwest Anderson Plain. Like
many other people who have lived on the land for a good portion of
their lives, Mr. Simon represents a very important source of
information relating to late prehistoric and historic period sites.
Although he had not been aware of their possible significance, he
is now. With very little training and some basic tools, people
like Mr. Simon could easily become important field assistants,
recording localities with evidence of past use ahead of
archaeological survey, and thus greatly facilitating the work of
archaeologists in these remote regions.
We were brought to the south shore of the wide point on the
west side of lac à l'Aigle. On the lower
bench a depression
measuring 2 m x 1.5 m x 0.60 m was located about 15 m from the lake
edge. Its long axis was perpendicular to the lake shore. A slight
ridge or berm was noted on the sides of the depression, but no such
feature was visible at the ends. A limited test pit placed on the
inside edge of the berm revealed wood fragments under sand/gravel
deposits. These suggested poles oriented in the same axis as the
length of the depression. In the general vicinity a number of
adze-cut stumps were noted which were especially prevalent towards
the base of the point, i.e. to the west.
About 3 m to the east a concentration of fire-cracked rocks
was visible from the surface. Limited test pitting in the area
revealed additional fire-cracked rock and calcined bone in the sand
underlying the thin sod.
In the opposite direction, still on the same flat terrace, a
collapsed pole structure was noted. The fallen poles radiated out
from a central point and suggests the structure was of a `tipi'
type. Whether it was a dwelling or a secondary structure used for
processing hides or meat could only be determined by excavation.
Excavations were in fact undertaken at this site during the
1991 field season.
