1990 Field Report
(Part 5)
by
Jean-Luc Pilon
NOGAP Archaeologist
Canadian Museum of Civilization

Discussion


With the discovery or verification of two additional Arctic Small Tool tradition components in the Hyndman Lake region, we must now seriously consider the nature and the conditions surrounding the use of the area by bearers of this tradition. Whereas previously the ASTt presence might have been ascribed to a fortuitous discovery of a unique event, there is now a situation where such a proposition cannot be logically sustained. Quite obviously, the three sites where these remains have been documented (NbTj- 8,9,17) share some interesting and hopefully significant traits. For example, bipointed projectile points which are virtually absent further east, are present on all three sites. Burins of the Denbigh type are also a common trait. Microblades are present in all three components albeit in very small numbers and of varying qualities. Pièces esquillées are ubiquitous in the Hyndman Lake ASTt assemblages. In two of the three examples, linear hearth features were found while in the third the small hearth was circular in plan. At all three sites, fist-sized cobbles were used as boiling stones and their use resulted in the production of copious amounts of fire-cracked rock.

Significant differences exist as well between the three ASTt sites. For example, the debitage collection found at NbTj-9 abounds with indications of the primary reduction of locally obtained siliceous argillite and chert nodules. This abundance and technological stage stands in marked contrast to the more modest debitage collection of NbTj-17 where the collection is dominated by the byproducts of tool finishing and resharpening. In a similar way, the fewer number of fire-cracked rocks at NbTj-17 suggests a significant functional/seasonal difference between it and the other two ASTt sites.