This paper describes some of the preliminary results of a test excavation carried out at the Bluefish Caves site (northern Yukon Territory) during the summer of 1978. The data at hand allow us to suggest that the site was utilized by human groups at the end of the Pleistocene, between 13,000 and 10,000 B.P. The deposit is viewed as important mainly because of the primary (or nearly so) context of its constituants (lithic specimens, Pleistocene faunal elements, etc.) which is a rather unique situation for sites of that age in the boreal Cordillera.

Two major routes for the southward migration of the southern Athabaskans have been suggested, one through the Plains, the other through the Plateau. The evidence for each of these routes is assessed, and strengths and weaknesses noted. It is suggested that in fact both routes were used, with a complex pattern of divergence and merging at different times and places during the migration.

Samples from two components of the Snyder Dam Site (DhMg-37), Southwestern Manitoba are discussed. Occupation 1 is a late Middle (or Initial) Woodland component with a weighted mean of three dates of A.D. 937±39. Occupation 2 is a Late (or Terminal) Woodland component dating A.D. 1285±70. The multiple dates represent a test of comparison using collagen versus charcoal dates and are accompanied by discussion of the relative merits of each material. The two components are represented by reconstructed vessels. The reconstructions show that much more information is available than from rim sherds. An attempt to relate the squat conoidal textile impressed vessels of Occupation 1 materials with other ceramic typologies of the Middle Woodland period shows that the Snyder Dam component is unique and that comparative analysis is hampered by rarity of reconstructions, lack of analysis of textile surface impressions, poor quality of visual presentations, and local regional orientation of analysis.

This paper presents a basic taxonomic classification for Ontario Iroquois effigy pipes. Forty-five zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, and dual styles (types) are enumerated. In addition, twelve lines of interpretation provide varying explanations of what this art work means. It is concluded that multiple explanations are required, and that they are effigy specific.

Radiocarbon dates for three early Iroquoian ossuary pits at the Serpent Mounds site indicate that Pickering peoples had a developed ossuary tradition by the A.D. 1000-1300 period. An informal review of the evidence for burial systems in the Terminal Woodland of southern Ontario suggests that the elaborate late Huron mortuary practices were the final expression of a long tradition that may be traced back about a thousand years to the early beginnings of agricultural village life in Ontario.

This paper presents preliminary results of an empirical study of probability sampling designs based on the study of seven attributes of collared rimsherds from six totally or almost totally excavated middens investigated during the 1975 rescue excavations at the Draper site. The results of this study suggest that the current practice of arbitrary selections of sampling designs and sampling fractions are inappropriate and recommendations for a more appropriate method of selecting sampling designs and fraction are presented.

Five small engraved pebbles were found out of archaeological context in the village of St-Pierre-les-Becquets, Québec. The schematic motifs are not unlike some already found on rock art or on other small abjects already published, and the mirror-effect of the drawings was characteristic of local Indians. They might be pieces of an unknown dice game or magical paraphernalia.

The Coast Salish cultural pattern is viewed as a specialized hunting and gathering adaptation which has evolved out of a more generalized format. Accepting the interface between the Locarno Beach and Marpole culture types (circa 400 B.C.) as the transition point, it is difficult to recognize either the stimulus behind such a development or the mechanism by which it occurred. It is maintained that the Hope/Yale region of the Fraser Canyon is a locale better suited, in an ecological sense, for the generalized to specialized transformation. It is also suggested that immigration or full population movement from that area to the Fraser delta formed the basis for subsequent developments.