Compte rendu 1993(Luc Nolin)-1

1993 Field Report
(Part 1)
by
Luc Nolin
NOGAP Archaeologist
Canadian Museum of Civilization

Archaeological Reconnaissance

a) Field Strategy and Methods

The results of Pilon's archaeological surveys of 1986 and 1991 along the Mackenzie River demonstrated that archaeological sites are present in different geographical context. Sites were found on terraces near the embouchure of creeks or rivers, at the edge of the plateau, on elevated terraces, on a slope near a draw leading to the plateau, and in one case on a beach near the embouchure of a creek. These results modify quite substantially the idea that the river was not intensively occupied until the late post-contact and contemporary times (Hanks & Winter 1991: 53). C. Hanks and B. Winter tried to explain their perceived lack of pre-contact sites by the erosional destruction of the river banks (Ibid., p. 53). A more complete discussion about this topic is available (Nolin and Pilon 1994).

We selected six different localities along the Mackenzie River between Dzien Die Creek (Dzandiee tshik) and Tsidal Trein (Chidaltaii); i.e. in a corridor of approximatively 30 km. These localities were choosen because they represent many of the geographical characteristics of the archaeological sites found along the Mackenzie River during Pilon's surveys of 1986 and 1991. These geographical caracteristics included: terrace near embouchure of a creek or a river, edge of plateau, elevated terrace, slope near a draw leading to plateau, beach near embouchure of a creek, etc.

One of the six localities (MhTq-1) had been already tested by Pilon in 1991 (Pilon 1987; 1992) and was revisited to verify the presence of archaeological remains in a stratified context. The five others were surveyed for the first time.

Our field methods were no different from those usually employed during survey. We initially proceeded to visually inspect any eroding surfaces in the survey units. We then would excavate a series of randomly-located test units, usually on the order of 50 cm x 50 cm. The randomness of our testing should be qualified. In our mind, we did actually divide a potential site locality into different areas, and attempted to sink a number of test units in each of these: near the Mackenzie River, near a tributary or gully, back of the terrace, middle of the terrace, etc.

The depths of the test units would vary markedly depending on the kind of feature we were testing. For example, where we knew there was significant soil development, we would continue our test pits as deep as possible. This was the case especially on the terraces located at tributary mouths. Although we usually stopped at permafrost, we did often manage to excavated to depths on the order of 1 m. Invariably, river terraces exhibited an unending sequence of thick bands of silt separated by thin layers of organic material. Often the latter would be old stable surfaces which had allowed the development of a distinct humus horizon before being once again buried under a heavy overbank deposit of fine silt. In other instances, distinct horizons of flood debris were noted, which suggest shorter exposure of a surface before the accumulation of more silt. Compared to the testing of most subarctic sites, work proceeded at a greatly reduced pace, and significantly greater energy was expended.

b) Areas examined and New Archeaological Sites

LN-93-01 (MhTp-1): This area is located on the east side of the embouchure of Dzien Die Creek (Dzandiee tshik) which means Muskrat Creek in Gwich'in (Andre & Kritsch 1992:47). This creek drained a small lake located 2.5 km inland. The area surveyed covered most of the 12 m terrace which presented a fairly large potentially habitable sub- horizontal surface. We also noticed heavy erosion along the river talus (ice gouging) which was visually inspected to verify the presence of archaeological remains on surface. No artifacts were found along the river and the creek talus. We tested quite intensively the terrace but no evidence of past occupation of the area was revealed.

At approximatively 40 m east of the confluence of Dzandiee tshik and the Mackenzie River, just at the begining of the second terrace level, a series of adze-cut stumps (n=10) were found surrounding what seemed to be a depression (approx. 2.20 X 1.70 x 0.45 m) which suggested the presence of a semi-subterranean structure. The depression does not seem to possess any defined edge because of the bumpiness of the contiguous surface. Four test pits were dug at the edge of and inside the depression; all were negative. The site in the immediate vicinity of the depression is well-protected against the north winds.

LN-93-02 (MhTp-2): This site is located on the 12 m terrace on the west side of the mouth of Dzien Die Creek. Two different types of remains were identified. First, a hearth feature was found during test pitting under 15 cm of silty clay deposits. This feature lay approximatively 60 m west of the embouchure of the creek and 10 m from the edge of the eroded talus. The hearth had an oval shape and was roughly 1 m in diametre. It was composed of 4-5 cm thick of fire-reddened soil containing a relatively important quantity of charcoal, fragmented calcined bones, and some lenses of powdered calcined bones. The area excavated around the hearth, do not revealed any artifacts. The relative depth below surface and the absence of fire- cracked rocks suggest the utilisation of this feature during historic times.

On the same terrace as the feature previously discussed, at approximatively 120-150 m from the mouth of Dzien Die Creek, the remains (the base) of an old log cabin was found. According to Gabe Andre, this cabin was occupied about 15 years ago by Shorty MacDonald from Norman Wells. He used this cabin during the spring time for geese hunting and fishing at the embouchure of the creek. Apparently, the goose used to stop on the island whose western end used to face Dzandiee tshik. This island was completely washed away during the springtime a few years ago (Gabe Andre, pers. comm.). The stumps which appeared to have been cut "recently" on the other side of the creek may had been cut during MacDolnald's occupation.

A series of test pits in the vicinity of MacDonald's cabin revealed 4 different buried humus layers before permafrost whas reached, which is generaly at 45 cm below surface. Despite relatively intense test pitting, of the terrace no further occupations were identified.

LN-93-03 (MiTq-3): This locality occupied both sides of the embouchure of Nagle's Creek which is called in Gwich'in Jim Nagle Viteetshik (Kritsch & Andre 1993:46). People use to come to Nagle's Creek to set their nets in the spring for whitefish (Ibid., p. 46). The general area presented a severely eroded talus ravaged from the passage of the heavy ice blocs during break-ups. The terrace on both sides of the creek present well-drained surfaces and is moderately forestered. The terrace on the south side of the creek is few metres higher than the south one.

Intensive test pitting was done on the terraces located on the north and on the south side of Nagle's Creek, where we noticed silt deposition from the last spring flooding. Many layers of buried humus were encountered and permafrost was present between 40-60 cm below surface. Test pits were also dug in a corridor along a well known winter trail starting on the north side of the embouchure of the creek going to the settlement of Tsiigehtchic. This trail is called in Gwich'in Zheh gwits'at gwitatr'aataii which means a trail going into the bushes to town (Andre & Kritsch 1992:59). It is still used by people of Arctic Red on snowmobiles. No evidence of occupation was discovered in the process of test pitting. We believe that traces of occupation have been possibly washed away by erosion along the terrace edge.

The remains of a log cabin was found approximatively 40 m from the edge of the terrace facing the Mackenzie River. Only the base of this small cabin (approx. 3.0 x 4.0 m) is still visible. The rest of the structure has been apparently used for firewood, through time. The cabin was occupied during the 1940's by Jim Nagle, a white trapper, who also used to be a trader for the Northern Traders Co. in Arctic Red River (Gabe Andre, pers. comm.). Test pits in the vicinity of cabin were all negative.

LN-93-04 (MiTq-1): This fourth surveyed locality is situated along the Mackenzie River in an area crossed by two creeks immediately west of Nazon Lake. Both sides of these creeks have extended surfaces (approx. 1800 m) presenting sub-horizontal or slightly sloped surfaces, fairly irregular and relatively poorly drained. The vegetation is composed of deep moss with occasional patches of lichen and quite densely covered with high willows, especially in the eastern portion. The western portion of the area is mostly unforested. Permafrost was found immediately under the organic soil.

Along the eastern the western creek on the first terrace level at approximatively 20-25 m from the edge of the terrace, we found the remains of Edward Nazon's cabin. This cabin was burnt years ago (Gabe Andre, pers. comm.) and only the base of the construction (a few logs) are still visible through the dense willows. Our test pits did not revealed any artifacts.

MiTq-4: Further east on the west side of the second creek and at approximatively 500 m east of the remains of Nazon's cabin, a winter trail leading to Big Woman and Whirl Lakes (Gabe Andre, comm. pers.), is still visible. It begins on the 7-8 m terrace and it goes along the creek until it reaches a pond.

Numerous test pits were excavated all along a band of approximatively 20 m wide on the 7-8 m terrace on this surveyed locality. The density of test pitting was reduced in the eastern portion of the surveyed surface which ends half-way between the second and the third creek located to the southeast. Indeed, this portion of the terrace was densely covered with high willows and is also poorly drained. We believe that the terrace would support occupation during the cold season, but no archaeological evidence was discovered. Time did not permit us to dig any test pits on the beach, which was however, visually inspected.

LN-93-05: We had planned to survey a locality situated on the north side of the hill from LN- 93-04. This locality is called in Gwich'in Tr'iinjoo kat gijaataii which mean women's road (Andre & Kritsch 1992:57). This trail was used by women, children and elders to go or to come back in the spring from Fishing Bear Lake instead of using Chidaltaii (Tsidal Trein) trail used by men, because it is very steep (Gabe Andre, pers. comm.; see LN-93-06). During the afternoon of June 24th after having finished our survey of LN-93-04, we tried to reach Tr'iinjoo kat gijaataii by boat. We were prevented from crossing to the survey locality by a strong northern wind which suddenly came up on the river forming high waves. Instead, we decided to go to Cony Bay, which was more easily accessible from LN-93-04. Cony Bay is called in Gwich'in Sruh chihvyaa k'it and means cony or inconnu net place (Andre & Kritsch 1992:54).

Cony Bay is a large open bay located on the west side of the Mackenzie River, were the Lower Ramparts begin. According to Gabe Andre, people from Tsiigehtchic use to set their camps on both extremities of the beach near the creeks, to set their nets for inconnu. The narrow beach presents a relatively steep surface with its back against an escarpment. Sedimentary rocks falling from the escarpment and a large quantity of driftwood, covered the gravelly beach. Test pits and a visual inspection did not permit us to find any traces of old or more recent occupation; these were certainly washed away during breakups. The lack of time do not permit us to test the two gullies dissected by the creeks or the high plateau overhanging Cony Bay.

LN-93-06 (MiTq-2): After we moved our camp from the second creek up of Dzandie Tshik to Tsidal Trein Creek, which was planned to be our 6th survey location, we spent the last two days and a half (June 25-27th) testing and conducting limited excavations in a small clearing on the west side of Tsidal Trein Creek.

Tsidal Trein is a deformation of the Gwich'in toponym Chidaltaii, which mean trail coming out of a narrow place (Andre & Kritsch 1992:45). The trail which begins or ends at Chidaltaii, is part of an important trail network in the Anderson Plain (Andre & Kritsch 1992:13). It is still clearly visible today and appears to have been used intensively. The trail starts at the bottom of the plateau on the west side of the creek, and goes near the edge of the cliff. When we climbed the steep trail and reached the plateau, an old canoe paddle resting against the tree stood as a silent sentinel evoking the old days. Chidaltaii is also at a short distance of a very important location for the Gwich'in; Tsiigehtchic (the mouth of iron river)(Kritsch & Andre 1993:6). According to Gabe Andre, fish can be captured all summer at the mouth of Tsidal Trein Creek, but it is particularly excellent in August when whitefish concentrate at the mouth of the stream. The quality of the water from Chidaltaii is also well known and stories relating to this place are part of the traditionnal knowledge of the elders of Tsiigehtchic (Gabe Andre, pers. comm.).

Having only a short time to investigate the area, we decided to start digging test pits on the 7-8 m terrace located on the western side of the creek. The terrace is generally well-drained, is moderately sloped in direction of the Mackenzie River, and the present vegetation is mostly composed by dense willows and driftwood indicating the presence of periodic flooding. A small clearing used to set a tent by people of Arctic Red River in August 1992, situated at about 40 m of the west side of Tsidal Trein Creek and 60 m from the Mackenzie River, was first tested. Recent material was found immmediately under the remains of the spruce bow carpet covered by few flat stones used as a refractory screen for a wood stove. In fact, this carpet constitute the habitation floor of the tent that we previously mentioned. Six test pits were dug inside of the clearing and four of them were positive. Unfortunately, we were not able to cover the entire surface of the terrace with test pits due to the lack of time.

Test unit #4 which was extented to 1 square metre during its excavation, revealed few cultural remains in a stratified soil. Tin can fragments and a complete glass bottle ("Minard Linement") were found between the surface and 5 cm below surface (b.s.). Deeper at 15 cm b.s, a cut tin can with a wire handle (perhaps for boiling), was followed by many buried humus layers. At 48 cm b.s., a rich dark brown-black humus layer (6th buried humus layer), contained only small charcoal fragments. We can not tell if they are cultural in origin.

In test pit #3 (approx. 50 x 50 cm), we exposed the remains of a possible combustion zone composed by a thin layer of ash and bits and pieces of charcoal, at 8 cm b.s. Deeper, at 38 cm b.s. other granules of charcoal were excavated, but no fire-reddened soil, ash, or fire- altered rocks were discovered which might suggest a possible cultural origin.

During the process of testing the terrace, test unit #6 was dug at a distance of 12-15 m from the small clearing where test units #1, #5, and #2 were excavated. Test unit #6 did not reveal any cultural remains.

Four different layers of occupations were found in test unit #1. A rusty kitchen utensil (fork) was unhearthed at 10 cm b.s. on the surface of the 3rd buried humus. When we extended test unit #1 to 1 square metre, the remains of a thin hearth composed of a yellowish-oxidized soil containing large pieces of charcoal, was found at 15 cm b.s. A few fish scales and one hare bone was excavated near the southern exposed part of the feature.

Deeper, at approximatively 38 cm b.s. under a fourth buried humus, a hearth feature was excavated in the southern part of test unit #1. Numerous fish scales and some uncalcined bones were found at the surface of the hearth, and these were covered and partially penetrated by a thin humus. Additionally, a few fire-altered tabular rocks, granules of charcoal, and three glass beads (two white seed beads and a green lined Cornaline d'Allepo) were visible at the surface of the yellowish-ashy fire-oxidized soil. The feature covered the entire width of the square metre and its northern limits was found approximatively in the southern half of the unit.

We excavated another square metre (test unit #5) adjacent to the southern limits of test unit #1, in order to circumscribe the limits of the hearth. This extention allowed us to note that the feature formed a small ridge of approximatively 60 cm in diameter and 4-5 cm thick of a fire-oxidized yellowish soil, becoming thicker in the southwestern part of test unit #5. Some fire-altered rocks, granules of charcoal, and pieces of birch bark, and wood were present in the immediate vicinity or on the surface of the hillock, contiguous with the thinner yellowish- soil at its contiguous surface. This large combustion zone which covered almost the entire surface of 2 square metres, followed the natural topography of the soil. This last characteristic suggest that little or no excavation as done before the utilization of the combustion zone.

The soil matrix of this important hearth feature was composed of an ashy yellowish fire-oxidized soil containing a large quantity of charcoal, burnt wood, some pieces of birch bark, calcined and uncalcined bones, distributed on its entire thickness. Charcoal was mostly concentrated in the northern part of the feature (test unit 1) and fish and rabbit bones were most numerous (n=255). No fire-cracked pebbles (boiling stones) were found in association with the hearth feature. A relatively large lens of red ochre was excavated 2 cm under the surface of the fire-oxidized soil of the hearth, near its northern edge. The red ochre had a greasy texture and covered a surface of 27 cm x 3 cm by 1 cm in thickness. The red stain was surrounded by large quantities of charcoal which suggests its production from burning the cambium contained in a certain type of willows (Nolin 1993:55; Osgood 1936:93). This red dye is call tsaih by elders of Arctic Red River who remember how to produce it from burning "old rotten driftwood", and using the ash "to color snowshoes, rope made from caribou skin, snow showels, dog whips and sleds" (Andre & Kritsch 1992:64). Andre and Kritsch also mentioned different locations where red mineral pigments where found (Ibid., p. 65).

Our limited excavation in test units #1 and #5 demonstrated that the hearth feature covered on a relatively large surface (longer than 2 m and larger than 1 m) and was possibly used during a relatively long period. This is proposed by the relatively abundant quantities of faunal remains and by the amount of fire-altered soil. Finally, the three glass beads found in the upper part of the hearth indicate an occupation during the second half of the nineteen century.

Below the hearth feature, under a fourth buried humus layer, a relatively large quantities of driftwood was excavated in grey silt. In opposition to the buried humus, the driftwood suggests a shorter exposure of the surface before the accumulation of more silt. Deeper in test unit #1, at approximatively 60 cm b.s. in the 6th buried humus encountered, a single fire-cracked rock along with few fish scales were found next to a very thin oval lens of fire-oxidized soil (approx. 22 cm in diameter). No artifacts were excavated. This feature seems to be the remains of a washed hearth feature. Excavations were stopped in test unit #1 and #5 at approximatively 62 cm, because of lack of time.

Test unit #2 was dug about 1 m southwest of test unit #1, within the limits of the rectangular tent floor mentioned earlier. Like in test units #1 and #5, we found cultural material buried at different depth in a stratified soil. Here is a summary of the findings.

-At 10 cm b.s., in a fire-place forming a depression, different historic artifacts we recovered. These are: a glass marbel, a 4 gal. square gas can lid dating circa 1940 (Gabe Andre, pers. comm.), and a light folded (nylon?) jacket;

-at 13 cm b.s., a .22 cal. cartrige was found;

-at 15 cm b.s., a pile of pieces of cut birch bark with perforations along the outside edge of one of the pieces, was excavated ;

-at 30 cm b.s., few patches of fire-reddened soil were present in the northeast corner of the square metre;

-at 39 cm b.s. in a fourth buried humus, a small scatter fish scales and bones was associated with fire-cracked rocks and charcoal;

-under the 4th buried humus layer which was mixed with a sterile sandy-gravel and driftwood, the extremity of a large log (13 cm in diameter) apparently axe cut, may represent the possible remains of a structure (fish drying stage, a tent?);

-between 53-67 cm b.s., in a 6th buried humus, a large roll of birch bark and other smaller pieces with perforations, were found in the northeast corner of the unit and suggest the remains of a container;

-on the surface of a 7th buried humus (between 65-75 cm b.s.), we unearthed spruce needles, beaver bones and a long mammal bone, fish scales, and a siliceous argillite flake. Gabe Andre also found a complete bone awl at 64 cm b.s.;

-in the 8th buried humus at approximatively 72 cm b.s., dense spruce needles, fish bones and scales, and rabbit and beaver bones were excavated;

-a 9th buried humus containing no cultural remains was identified at about 73 cm b.s, and permafrost was encountered in the northwest corner of test unit #2 at 86 cm b.s.

Test pitting and limited excavations on the western side of Tsidal Trein Creek revealed an excellent archaeological potential. We can mention the quality of organic preservation and the overbank deposits which "sealed" layers of occupation. These layers possibly represents old stable surfaces which had allowed the developement of distinct humus horizons before being once again buried under a heavy overbank deposit of fine silt. Cultural material dating from from the recent to early historic period, and perhaps the late prehistoric period, were found in eight different layers of soil (test unit #2). Our survey on a limited portion of the terrace probably reflects the tip of the iceberg in terms of remains of the passage of generations of people on this very strategic site. The archaeological remains unhearthed seem to represent a continuous use of the site since, at least, the late prehistoric period or the early historic period. Certainly more investigation is needed to reveal its complete potential.