ALBERTA ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIEW

Number 5 ISSN 0701-1776 Autumn 1982

Copyright © 1982 by the publisher, The Archaeological Society of Alberta

£&***-* Archaeological Society of Alberta Charter #8205, registered under the Societies Act of Alberta on February 7, 1975. SOCIETY OFFICERS FOR 1982-83 EDITOR'S NOTE President: John Brumley I appreciate the assistance from all who have helped Group Box 20, Veinerville make the Review a success during the past year, especially Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7E5 Jim and June Carpenter. Production delays will necessitate 526-6021 mailing this issue in January; nevertheless, 1982 marks the Executive Sec./ Jeanne Cody first year in which we have met the publishing objective of Treasurer: P.O. Box 4609, Station C two issues per year. Also, Jack Brink's role in furnishing Calgary, Alberta T2T 5P1 readers with a report on current archaeological activity in 243-4340 Alberta is gratefully acknowledged. Editor, Review & Dr. T.A. Moore The timely publication herein of the highlights of the Publications: The University of Lethbridge current research project in Wood Buffalo National Park Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4 should help remedy a widespread lack of awareness of the 329-2225 contributions of federal government archaeologists toward Past President: Nick Sheptycki the understanding of Alberta archaeology. I appreciate the 5811 -113A Street co-operation of Marc Stevenson and Douglas Proch of Edmonton, Alberta T6H 1A9 Parks Canada, Winnipeg. 434-2316 In November of this year the Archaeological Society of Vice-President: Jeanne (Mrs. Alan) Cody Alberta received the first Award of Honour to be bestowed 1202 Lansdowne Avenue S.W. by the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation. This is a Calgary, Alberta T2S 1A6 well merited tribute to all those who have participated in the 243-4340 work of the Archaeological Society over the past two Elected Sec./ Lucille (Mrs. Harvey) Martz decades. Treasurer: P.O. Box 536 Tim Jones, manager of the Saskatchewan Archaeolog­ Medicine Hat, Alberta ical Society's book sales service - the Den of Antiquity, has 527-0388 extended full discount privileges to all members of the Southeastern Centre: President: Janice Andreas Archaeological Society of Alberta. Details are reported in 46 Rossland Crescent S.E. this issue. Medicine Hat, Alberta TIB 2B6 I look forward to seeing many of the readers of the 526-3346 Review at the Annual Meeting in Medicine Hat April 8, 9, Rep.: Phyllis (Mrs. Ian) McLaughlin and 10. Provincial President John Brumley has an excellent P.O. Box 113 programme in preparation which will include a banquet Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7E8 address by Dr. Richard Morlan of the Archaeological Sur­ 526-3753 vey of Canada. Calgary Centre: President: Louise (Mrs. L.M.) Travis Members of the Archaeological Society of Alberta 1815 Varsity Estates Drive N.W. receive a copy of the Alberta Archaeological Review. Calgary, Alberta T3B 3Y7 Non-members and institutions may subscribe to the Alberta 286-5738 Archaeological Review for $5.00 per calendar year. Rep.: David B. Coutts Cheques should be made payable to The Archaeological 3817 - 7 Street S.W. Society of Alberta. Calgary, Alberta T2T 2Y4 Unsolicited contributions are welcomed for considera­ 243-2101 tion for possible publication. All communications regarding Lethbridge Centre: President: Duncan Mackintosh subscriptions and the Alberta Archaeological Review 1719-9 Avenue South should be sent to the Editor, Dr. T.A. Moore, The Univer­ Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W4 sity of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4. 327-5466 Communications regarding the Archaeological Society Rep.: Lawrence Halmrast of Alberta should be addressed to the Executive Secretary/- P.O. Box 165 Treasurer, Mrs. Jeanne Cody, P.O. Box 4609, Station C, Warner, Alberta T0K 2L0 Calgary, Alberta T2T 5P1. 642-2126 Partial funding for this issue is provided by a grant from Edmonton Centre: President: G.F. Paschen Alberta Culture. 11911 University Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z6 Cover Photo: Native portage trail, Kakisa River, N.W.T. 436-4913 photo by Dr. L.L. Stebbins ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA/NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, 1980-1982 by Douglas Proch and Marc Stevenson, Parks Canada, Prairie Region, Winnipeg Figures 1 - 7 drawn by K. Graham-Stevenson

INTRODUCTION All but one of the known archaeological sites were located along the northern banks of the Peace River or its In 1980 a team of archaeologists from Parks Canada, islands. This would suggest that a southern exposure, with Prairie Region, began archaeological reconnaissance in its greater availability of direct sunlight, along with the level Wood Buffalo National Park. Despite the size and diversity topography, were important factors in determining site of the park and the logistical constraints of conducting a locations. The presence of lithic reduction activities at some survey within it, the project's goals remained ambitious. The of the sites indicated that access to workable lithic material project, in essence, was initiated to provide information on was also an important determinant of site location. Another the park's archaeological resources so they might be prop­ major variable directing settlement toward the gypsum/- erly managed and incorporated into the planning process. limestone cliffs on the north side of the Peace River may More specifically, the project sought to provide statements have been an extensive grassland environment. The closed on site locational tendencies, site age, function and cultural aspen and poplar stand which presently dominates the affiliations, and to recommend measures for their protec­ north side appears to represent the tail end of a prairie-to- tion and interpretation. This report briefly presents the forest succession which began sometime before Raup's visit preliminary and substantive results of investigations carried to the Peace Point area in 1928 (Jeffrey 1961). This is in out in Wood Buffalo National Park between 1980 and 1982. direct contrast to the mature white spruce forest which dominates the top of the relatively low bank along the south side of the river.

SURVEY 1980 The Slave River After an examination of those sites previously identified by park visitors and staff, the 44,000 km2 of boreal forest and Work began on the Slave River by selecting a 36.2 km related biotic communities in Wood Buffalo National Park section of the river between the mouth of Murdock Creek challenged the investigators to formulate a sampling stra­ and a large rock outcrop 1.5 km upstream from Caribou tegy that could potentially locate a large percentage of the Island. In an effort to maintain thorough coverage no dis­ more important archaeological sites. It was decided to first tinction was made between the park and Alberta sides of the look at the natural transportation corridors provided by the river. Not unexpectedly, this initial survey revealed that park's major rivers (Figure 1). Approximately 30 km of the rock outcrops possessed the greatest potential for the re­ Peace, Slave and Athabasca Rivers were systematically covery of archaeological materials. With the exception of surveyed. Following this, several secondary rivers were one site recorded on La Butte, (a large glacially-derived examined. Portions of the Loop Road were then inspected feature, possibly a kame or moraine) the remaining fourteen to obtain information on sites located in the interior of the sites were situated on outcroppings of rock. The most pro­ ductive sites were found 8-12 m above the summer river park. The significant results of this survey will be presented, 2 along with tentative statements concerning prehistoric set­ levels. They had substantial level surface areas (>25 m ) tlement patterns. which promoted the accumulation of soil deposits. The only discernible difference between the location of single com­ ponent sites and the stratified sites is that the latter had The Peace River prominent southern exposures and a better view of the river, both upstream and downstream. On the lower Peace River twenty-eight archaeological sites were recorded between the Boyer Rapids and the The Athabasca River midpoint of the first island downstream from Peace Point. Two types of sites were delineated in this survey area. These The Athabasca River was examined between Embar- included small, relatively isolated concentrations of cultural ras Portage and the abandoned Embarras Sawmill. While a materials, possibly representing the remains of short-term considerable length of time was spent attempting to locate camps or activity loci, and more spatially extensive, strati­ sites in the area, only two, dating to the early twentieth fied sites which may be the remains of more permanent century, were recorded. Both were located on high, sandy campsites. Without exception, larger campsites occurred banks along the east side of the river. The noticeable lack of on cliffs no higher than 10-12 m above the floodplain and archaeological sites is undoubtedly a result of the extremely were easily accessible from the river, while the smaller sites rapid rate at which the Athabasca River erodes, floods and were located on higher cliffs over 15 m above the present rebuilds its banks and is not a reflection of the region's flood level. prehistoric and early historic land use. WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK

FIGURE 1 Wood Buffalo National Park . Systematic survey areas 1980. Additional Rivers The Peace Point Site Armed with the appropriate data on site locations gathered during the preceding investigation, the Riviere Des During the 1980 field season it was essential to examine Rochers from Lake Athabasca to the flood control weir and the Peace Point Site. Located on the longest continuous the Chenal Des Quatre Fourches were judgementally sur­ expanse of low-lying cliffs with a level topography along the veyed. In all, eleven sites were located. Each site was situ­ lower Peace River, this site was first recorded in 1973 by ated on a rock outcrop well above present flood levels, in David Penner. He reported that burnt bone, charcoal, and less than 30 cm of soil. With the possible exception of five artifacts of chert and quartzite, were eroding out of the river sites which yielded a small amount of recent cultural mate­ bank at Peace Point. Among the artifacts he collected was a rial near the surface, no stratified campsites were recorded. lanceolate projectile point identified as Agate Basin or Piano by Fedirchuk (1973) (Figures 3a). Although this identifica­ tion was disputed by Donahue (1976), the possibility that the site may have a long and venerable history made its inspec­ The Road Survey tion imperative. In order to achieve an understanding of site locational tendencies in the interior of the park, various physiographic features accessible from the Loop Road were surveyed. It was decided that the best way to assess rapidly the After attempts were made to locate archaeological sites on vertical extent, and one dimension of the horizontal extent the shores of sink-hole lakes, karst escarpments, creeks of the site, with minimum disturbance, would be to profile, draining from the salt plains and sand dunes, it was soon record and photograph systematically the cliff face at 50+5 m realized that only dunes could be expected to consistently intervals. At the same time, cultural material on the talus yield archaeological resources. By surveying all sand dunes slope or eroding out of the cliff would be recorded and immediately adjacent to the road, six sites were located. collected. The survey began 1.2 km east of the Peace Point The subsequent discovery of small lithic scatters on two community where the cliff tapers off to meet the floodplain. dunes in the Lake One area substantiated this assumption. It then proceeded westward. In total, thirty-six profiles were examined. Approximately half of these were found to con­ tain one or more cultural levels at depths ranging from 10 to 240 cm below the soil surface. In situ cultural materials were also recorded in another thirty-two locations between the profiles, while surface finds were noted to occur in twenty- one additional areas along the talus slope. Approximately SITE TESTING PROGRAM seventy percent of all locations yielding in situ materials demonstrated more than two distinct strata, indicating an The Lake One Dune Site extensive multi-component occupation over much of the The first known site to be examined was the Lake One Peace Point area. Dune Site, IgPc-9. This site is situated on the end of a small sand dune bordering the southern edge of the Lake One prairie. The prairie, the largest continuous meadow west of The Peace Point Site is composed of two major settle­ Lake Claire and south of the Peace River, is the favored ment areas, with a minor occupation represented between habitat of bison and numerous species of marsh birds during them (Figure 4). The eastern site area or cluster IgPc-2, is the milder months of the year. situated on a relatively low-lying part of the cliff(< 12 m), the top of which is readily accessible from the river. The most Since the discovery of the site in 1978, a dozen or so significant occupation is located about 100 m upstream from the cliff/flood plain interface. The cliff face profile yielded lanceolate, triangular and notched point fragments with 2 some affinities to Early, Middle and Late Prehistoric plains evidence of six distinct cultural levels, while aim test pit and later boreal forest cultures have been collected by park contained seven. A second test pit, located further back staff (Figure 2). In 1980 the dune's cultural features were from the cliff face, contained only four cultural strata. Two mapped and artifacts from the blowout area at the western split, wedge-shaped blade cores, one of which may be a end of the dune were collected. Aim2 test unit was exca­ microcore (Figure 3b), were recorded in situ in the lowest vated at the interface of the cultural deposit on top of the dark banding episode, 15 cm above bedrock. Approxi­ dune and the blowout area. In total over 1,500 individual mately 400 m upstream from where the cliff tapers down to lithic specimens were obtained from three natural levels meet the flood plain, another important locale of the eastern within this excavation unit. Two quartzite point bases were site cluster occurs. Although this area does not demon­ encountered on the surface and in the first level of the test strate the intensity of the aforementioned area, it does pit. They demonstrate the side-notching, rounded-ears, len­ contain two major occupation levels. A large quartzite side- ticular cross-section and basally thinned concave bases scraper (Figure 3c) and numerous chert and quartzite flakes common to most Duncan/Hanna points found on the were recorded just above bedrock. Several large hearths, plains. However, the small size of the ears and side-notches containing ash and large mammal bones, were also observed suggests that they may represent a regional variant of this 75-85 cm below the surface. Archaic point form. This raises the interesting possibility that the site may have a greater affinity with late paleo-Indian and Archaic plains cultures, rather than boreal forest groups; something that only additional research will resolve. FIGURE 2 Projectile point forms from Lake One Dune site. FIGURE 3 a: possible Agate Basin point (Penner find, drawn from photograph) b: blade core found in situ 15 cm above bedrock c: large quartzite side scraper d: barbed bone point e: Late Prehistoric prairie side-notched point. The second major area of prehistoric settlement, the The most significant result of the excavation was dis­ western site cluster, IgPc-3, occurs on the higher cliffs covering that the site contained not six or seven distinct approximately 1.4 km to the west. It does not demonstrate occupational surfaces, but eighteen or more (Stevenson the intensity of occupation found in the eastern portion of n.d.a.) (Figure 5). At the same time radiocarbon dates indi­ the site. Only three distinct cultural occupations have been cated that the lowest level dated to shortly after 2500 years recorded. Although this cluster does not have the time ago [2210+155 B.P. (S-2158), 2190+270 B.P. (SFU-167)] and depth of the eastern area, evidence of extensive settlement not to Agate Basin/Northern Piano times. It is important to was found along the cliff face. Similarly, the remaining mention that higher areas of the site could conceivably horizontal extent of this site is also quite extensive, with in contain this early component. Other levels in the excavation situ materials recorded more than 15 m back from the cliff. have been dated and the results can be seen in Figure 5. Shovel testing revealed that cultural materials extended no further than 10 m back from the cliff in the eastern and Recent analysis (Stevenson, n.d.a) has indicated not middle site areas. only that most occupational surfaces have suffered little post-depositional disturbance, but that they may be the Although not as spatially extensive or deeply stratified result of single or related occupations, rather than multiple as the western or eastern site areas, the middle site cluster, episodes of deposition (Figure 6). The abundance and co- IgPc-1, is significant in that the material record differs occurence of hearths, chert debitage and faunal remains in markedly. This area, which is represented by two cultural most occupations indicates that this part of the site served strata 40 and 60 cm below the surface, extends for several primarily as a lithic reduction/habitation focus through time. hundred metres along the cliff face and contains small, Although tools such as utilized flakes, scrapers and biface dispersed groups of large mammal bone. This suggests a fragments were noted in most major levels, diagnostic arti­ differential use of the Peace Point area through time. It is facts remained elusive. In fact, only one diagnostic artifact, a interesting to consider that the upper bone layer in this Late Prehistoric prairie side-notched point (Figure 3e), was cluster may also be present in the eastern site area where a recovered in an upper stratum dated to 1040H70 BP. (S- small barbed point was found in association with a large 2157). This is seen as being a result of the area excavated in number of rib bones 40 cm below the surface (Figure 3d). each level, usually less than twelve square metres arid the lithic procurement nature of the occupations. Because of its great horizontal extent and deeply strati­ fied nature, the Peace Point Site contains an excellent Because of its deeply stratified nature and structural record of man's presence in the lower Peace River area integrity, the Peace Point Site, more than any other site yet through time. In recognition of the potential archaeological discovered in the northern boreal forest region of Western significance and because of its vulnerability to pack ice Canada, could provide the basis for a sound regional chro­ erosion, Parks Canada temporarily postponed the 1981 nology. Current research (Stevenson n.d.a.) focuses on survey to conduct a more thorough assessment of the mobility patterns, as reflected by the diversity of raw mate­ Peace Point Site and to salvage archaeological materials in rials and faunal remains in various occupation levels, to danger of being lost. formulate models for establishing regional chronologies based on hunter-gatherer exploitation strategies. Models are also being developed to account for patterning in occu­ pational surfaces thought to be produced by site formation processes during occupation and differences in male/female activities within logistically organized hunter-gatherer base EXCAVATION 1981 camps.

The field season commenced with the establishment of a 4 x 2 m excavation unit along the edge of the cliff, 1.2 km east of the Peace Point community. This area, IgPc-2, was chosen because the 1980 survey indicated that it was the most vertically concentrated part of the site. As the excava­ SURVEY 1982 tion proceeded downward, it also progressed outward to incorporate both the cliff face profile and two test pits estab­ In 1982 the archaeological survey of Wood Buffalo lished in 1980. Digging proceeded by natural levels, with all National Park resumed. Armed with information obtained in material larger than 5 mm receiving a separate three- 1980 on riverine site locations major portions of the Peace dimensional provenience. Materials smaller than this were River not previously examined and the rest of the Slave collected by level in units ranging from 0.5 m2 to 1 m2. All the River were appraised. Other activities included a survey soil was screened through 6 mm mesh, while soil from along most of the principal trails and access roads. The hearths and dense lithic and faunal concentrations was shorelines of seven large lakes within the park's vast inte­ passed through a 1.2 mm screen. As the excavation pro­ rior, were also investigated as was the west shore of Lake ceeded downward and outward, toward the cliff face, it soon Claire. Because only the most preliminary analysis has been became apparent that many more cultural levels were pres­ conducted on the materials recovered during this final ent than initially anticipated. Subsequently, excavation of phase, an overall picture is difficult to provide at present. this unit proved costly in terms of the amount of time For this reason, the focus of the report will now shift to a required, thus precluding controlled excavations in other discussion of individual sites with site locational tendencies areas of the site. presented when known. o 00

c EC 'o OH o cu WEST WALL

Cultural Levels/Age:

17 Historic Protohistorlc

12 1040175 B.P.IS-2157)

10 1370190 B.P. (S-2065)

7 16701105 B.P.IS-2228) -j— 6 I1470H30B.P.(SFU-168> .-.-.J 11320+300 B.P.(S-2066)

3—1 12210 + 155 B.P.(S-215B) ... • (21901270 B.P.(SFU-167>

I I alluvial 01 soil surfaces [ 1 heart

FIGURE 5 Peace Point Site, IgPc-2. Profiles of north and west walls at excavation unit with occupation surfaces and associated radiocarbon dates (bone collagen, uncorrected).

10 The Peace River The importance of these sites is obvious, so it is with some concern that attention is directed to the fact that soil Six additional single component sites were uncovered ridges, presumably formed by ice shove during spring within the extended boundaries of the Peace River survey. break-up, have formed around some of the most productive Four were located along the high north bank of the river sites recorded along the Slave River (i.e. IiOu-8 and IkOv-5). while one was found along the south shore, on a high sand With the possibility of hydro-electric dam construction dune. The remaining cultural material occurred on top of a becoming more imminent, a rise in water level, however high cliff which forms the western end of the first island east minor, would almost certainly have an adverse impact upon of Peace Point. Several sites located during the 1980 survey these sites. were also retested. Only in the case of the Rocky Point Site, IfOv-1, was this of any consequence. This small, rich, multi- component site produced a convex-based, corner-notched projectile point in association with datable bone (Figure la). Other test pits in the immediate area revealed what appear The Road and Trail Survey to be hearths in the approximately 30 cm thick stratigraphic An extensive survey of the roads and trails within record. Wood Buffalo National Park was undertaken in 1982. Many sand dunes along the Loop Road, exposed after a 1981 forest fire, were examined. This led to the discovery of an The Slave River additional four sites. Another site was found at the Parson's During the 1982 survey an additional seven sites were Lake Fire Tower which is situated on an enormous dune, located along the Slave River and five known sites were the highest point of land in the area. The most productive retested. The most significant prehistoric encampments road allowance, however, was the section of winter road found along the Slave River are the multicomponent sites: between Peace Point and the Jackfish River. Sixteen sites IiOu-8, IkOu-2, IkOv-4 and IkOv-5. In spite of their small size were found along this 40 km section of road. Six are located and the fact that less than 2.5 m2 were excavated at each at its intersection with creeks, while the remaining ten sites site, they produced an abundant and diverse assembly of are situated directly on the right of way. One of these, in the materials which included fire-cracked rocks, fragmented immediate vicinity of the Boyer Rapids, was composed of burnt bone, utilized flakes and chert, quartzite and quartz hundreds of thousands of core/tool reduction flakes and debitage. tools dispersed over approximately 3 km of the road. As The most extensive site, IiOu-8, contained stratified artifacts were observed on the road more than a kilometre material in two areas. In one locale, a ferrous projectile point away from the river, this lithic reduction/habitation focus is (Figure 7b) was found 8 cm below the surface while a large estimated to be very large, perhaps on the order of chert biface/projectile (Figure 7c) occurred 10 cm below the hundreds of hectares. This would make it one of the largest surface. Hearth-like features were associated with both sites yet found in this part of Western Canada. tools. In the second area one unit produced a small finely flaked, side-notched, concave-based quartzite point 10 cm below the soil surface (Figure 7d). This point has been classified as Avonlea by Stevenson (1982b). The occurrence Interior Sites of Avonlea in northern Alberta has been a problematic issue (McCullough 1982, Pollock 1977,1978; Reeves 1970). How­ The remainder of the 1982 field season was spent inves­ ever, there can now be little doubt that Late Prehistoric tigating portions of the park's interior. Davidson and groups possessing this point type penetrated into the Robertson Lakes proved to be the most important, with region. A side/corner-notched point base, which is slightly sites on well drained soil features along their shores. thinned and ground, was found 27 cm below the surface of Robertson Lake's one historic site and one prehistoric site an adjacent test pit (Figure 7e). were situated on top of low sand dunes while Davidson Site IkOu-2 revealed a slightly ground, basally thinned, Lake's three prehistoric sites (two are stratified) were found convex-based, corner-notched quartzite point fragment 11 on an old Peace River levee. Despite vigorous testing, little cm below the surface (Figure 7f). Seventeen centimetres was found along the shores of Merryweather, Buffalo, below the surface of an adjacent unit, a small, heavily Buchan, Thultue and Isidor Lakes. This is not surprising reworked, stemmed quartz point was located (Figure 7g). when the extremely poor drainage of most of the park's In one location at IkOv-5 several units yielded chert interior is considered. The only site discovery along Lake flakes at depths of 3 to 5, 7 to 10 and 15 to 20 cm below the Claire's western shore occurred at Point Des Roche where surface. Just below the surface of two adjacent units, situ­ two historic building foundations were located. A large con­ ated on a slightly higher portion of the site, a small lithic centration of rocks along a wall of each foundation may cluster was found. This consisted of a wedge-shaped micro- represent the remains of a chimney. This site may have core (refitted in Figure 7h), a possible double-ended burin played a role in Fort Chipewyan fur trading activities. and later stage biface reduction flakes. A sand dune 15-20 km southeast of McNeil Lake pro­ While not demonstrating the clear-cut stratigraphy of duced six small chipping areas. Important artifacts reco­ the previous sites, several test units at IkOv-4 produced a vered include a straight based, side-notched chert point and large sandstone biface (Figure 7i), a corner-notched quart­ a biface. A small site was also found on top of a large dune zite point with slight basal thinning and grinding (Figure 7j) overlooking the Lake One prairie while an isolated find and a crude quartz/ quartzite lanceolate point with a hint of a occurred on a high esker northwest of Peace Point. These stem (Figure 7k) found at 4, 9 and 15 cm below the surface, sites substantiate the theory that prehistoric cultural mate­ respectively. rial tends to occur on well-drained surficial features.

11 ^ i*-« ^ 'r4 >' 4M .

,Q ' "V

• * • *

, ABTH %v* A.^lttl "' 4. : < *f * >*»>

^ • *

limit TTyn^talus si„ne and Pof excavatim I'M, frr ^ BONE • LITHICS

© ROCK

FIGURE 6 Earliest occupation surface in Peace Point excavation, 1981.

12 5cm

FIGURE 7 a,e,f,g,j and k: projectile points b: ferrous point/blade c: biface/projectile point d: Avonlea point h: wedge-shaped microcore (refitted) i: biface.

13 CONCLUDING REMARKS 1981c Archaeological survey of rivers adjacent to the eastern boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park, Even though a team of two archaeologists carried out Final Report, Permit No. 80-130. Manuscript on file three seasons of archaeological investigations in Wood Buf­ with the Archaeological Survey of Alberta. falo National Park, it seems obvious that in an area larger 1982a Archaeological assessment of the Peace Point than many countries, only the surface has been scratched. Site, Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta/N.W.T.: a Yet some steps were taken toward realizing the project's preliminary report. Parks Canada, Research Bulletin objectives. We now have some understanding of where sites 174. are going to be located, both along and away from rivers. 1982b Preliminary archaeological investigations on the With regard to the age and cultural affiliation of recorded Slave River, Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta. sites it is fortunate that datable bone was found in associa­ Manuscript on file with the Archaeological Survey of tion with culturally diagnostic artifacts at some sites along Alberta. the Peace and Slave Rivers. While the function of some sites n.d.a. Peace Point: a record of culture development, is known, further lithic and faunal analysis will increase our change, and continuity in northeastern Alberta. Manu­ understanding of the role individual sites played. Finally, script on file with Parks Canada, Winnipeg. although formal recommendations remain to be made, n.d.b. Archaeological investigations in Wood Buffalo some sites, more than others, will require special attention. National Park, Alberta/N.W.T., 1980-1982. Manu­ None are more deserving of this attention than the Peace script in preparation, Parks Canada, Winnipeg. Point, Lake One Dune and Boyer Rapids Sites. Not only are they subject to natural or cultural attritional processes, but they are among the most significant archaeological sites discovered in the northern boreal forest of Western Canada. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The 1983 Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Society BIBLIOGRAPHY of Alberta is to be held April 8,9, and 10 at the Travel Lodge Inn, Medicine Hat. A no-host reception will be held Friday Donahue, Paul F. evening. Saturday will feature the presentation of papers 1976 Alberta north, project 75-8. In Archaeology in followed by the business meeting and the evening banquet. Alberta, 1977, Archaeological Survey of Alberta, The banquet speaker is the distinguished archaeologist, Dr. Occasional Paper 1, edited by J. Michael Quigg and Richard Morlan of the Archaeological Survey of Canada. W.J. Byrne, pp. 42-50. Papers from both professionals and non-professionals, Fedirchuk, Gloria which are no more than 20 minutes in length, are solicited 1973 Peace-Athabasca-Slave archaeological project, the for presentation during the Saturday session. Interested Penner Site: salvage excavation. Manuscript on file participants are requested to submit paper titles and a brief with Parks Canada, Winnipeg. abstract as soon as possible to: John Brumley, President Jeffrey, W.W. Archaeological Society of Alberta 1961 A prairie to forest succession in Wood Buffalo Park, c/o Ethos Consultants Ltd. Alberta. Ecology 42(2):442-444. Group Box 20, Veinerville Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 7E5 McCullough, Edward J. 1982 Prehistoric cultural dynamics of the Lac La Biche • • • region. Archaeological Survey of Alberta, Occasional Paper 18. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Pollock, John W. PIN PROPOSAL 1977 Archaeological survey of northeastern Alberta. In by Claudette Chadsey, Lethbridge Centre Archaeology in Alberta, 1976, Archaeological Survey of Alberta, Occasional Paper 4, edited by J. Michael As requested by the Executive of the Archaeological Quigg. Society of Alberta, designs for a distinctive pin are now 1978 Early cultures of the Clearwater River area, north­ ready for consideration at the forthcoming Annual Meeting eastern Alberta. Archaeological Survey of Alberta, in Medicine Hat to be held April 8, 9, and 10, 1983 at the Occasional Paper 6. Travel Lodge Inn. Members with alternative suggestions are Reeves, Brian O.K. asked to bring them to the Annual Meeting. 1970 Culture change in the northern Plains, 1,000 B.C.- The proposed pin is to be five-eighths inches in diame­ A.D. 1,000. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Depart­ ter, round, with a push-spring lock. The design focuses ment of Archaeology, University of Calgary. attention on a central black Alberta Point on a white back­ ground edged in black. The black circumference carries a Stevenson, Marc G. gold inscription which reads: "Archaeological Society - 1981a Peace Point: a stratified prehistoric campsite Alberta". Two tiny red maple leaves will be placed on either complex in Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta. side of the word Alberta. The pin would be produced by Parks Canada, Research Bulletin 158. Keith Hampton of Youngstown, Alberta using the cloisonee 1981b Preliminary archaeological reconnaissance in technique. In addition, a larger, three-quarter inch pin could Wood Buffalo National Park. Parks Canada, Research be produced for the use of members and as a fund-raising Bulletin 159. item for local chapters of the Society.

14 NEWS FROM THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALBERTA by Jack Brink, senior archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of Alberta From time to time the Archaeological Survey of Alberta technological activity. Elsewhere on the Alsands Lease, Ives will try to report on the more important happenings and continued his survey work on areas that had been stripped events which involve the Survey. This will include informa­ for plant and mine development. This clearing has provided tion on major Cultural Resource Management (C.R.M.) a unique opportunity to collect relatively complete site projects being conducted in the province, as well as projects assemblages for a number of sites in the mixed wood section originating out of research interests. In addition, I hope to of the boreal forest. provide detailed reports on special projects such as the Ives and Dr. Mark Fenton, Alberta Research Council, development of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, the possi­ continued research into the source origins of Beaver River ble computerization of land-related and archaeological sandstone in the Athabasca River valley north of Fort information for Alberta, and reports of major archaeological McMurray. Widely used by prehistoric inhabitants of the oil projects such as the Forty Mile Coulee project and the sands area, this material appears to occur in Middle pending Slave River Hydro project. McMurray Formation deposits close to the Devonian - A brief survey of the work conducted in the different Mesozoic contact. geographic regions of Alberta this past year follows. The The Birch Mountain archaeological study, also directed focus of this survey is on the major Historical Resources by Ives, is investigating the relationship of subsistence set­ Impact Assessment (H.R.I.A.) and research oriented pro­ tlement systems of the oil sands area with those of the jects. The numerous small C.R.M. projects conducted in nearby Birch Mountain. This work is proceeding in conjunc­ the province have not been reported here. This survey has tion with paleoenvironmental studies by Robert Vance been compiled by Paul F. Donahue and was recently pub­ (A.S.A.). Vance's research centers on the analysis of sedi­ lished in Canadian Archaeological Association News­ ment cores from three lakes. letter. Ray LeBlanc undertook further test excavation at the late prehistoric Hidden Creek site (GjPx-6) on the north­ ARCHAEOLOGY IN ALBERTA, 1982 west shore of Lesser Slave Lake. This work was a continua­ tion of a 1981 research program. A final report on both compiled by Paul F. Donahue, Director years' excavations is expected by the spring of 1983. Archaeological Survey of Alberta Finally, Heinz Pyszczyk, Simon Fraser University, undertook a test excavation and mapping project of fea­ As of early October 1982, 130 archaeological permits tures at Fort Dunvegan on the Peace River. This site were issued within the province. The vast majority of these includes a major North West Company post, Hudson's Bay were directed at archaeological impact assessments or mit- Company Posts, mission sites, homesteads and possible igative excavations. Omitting the many small Historical Klondike period pit houses. Pyszczyk's research was spon­ Resource Impact Assessment (H.R.I.A.) projects, a current sored by the Alberta Provincial Government in conjunction review of Alberta archaeology is provided by major envir­ with a planned interpretive development program. onmental zones.

Boreal Forest Parklands In the northern boreal forest, Kathleen Connor Learn, Research projects in the parklands consisted of further University of Alberta, has been engaged in exploratory work by Maurice Doll of the Alberta Provincial Museum at research regarding the use of ceramics at Black Fox Island Buffalo Lake and a sampling project at the Dry Island Buf­ in Lac La Biche. falo Jump by Bruce Ball of the Archaeological Survey of Marc Stevenson of Parks Canada (Prairie Region) con­ Alberta. While Doll is investigating the nature of Metis tinued archaeological research within Wood Buffalo National occupations along the Lake shore, Ball is using a sampling Park. A major portion of this work concentrated on the methodology to determine the composition and extent of Peace Point site (IgPc-1), a well stratified (16 levels have deposits at this northernmost jump site. been reported) extremely productive buried camp. Two A major impact assessment and mitigation program C14 dates on the lowest occupation indicate a basal date of associated with the Genesee Power Project southwest of 2,200 years. Associated with this component were a possi­ Edmonton is being undertaken by Lifeways of Canada Ltd. ble microblade core and microblades. Additional inventory Supervised by Brian Ronaghan, this program has recorded work within the park located one other large productive site in excess of 350 prehistoric sites. The area is notable both at Boyer Rapids in addition to several smaller sites both in for its density of prehistoric resources as well as the high the Peace and Slave rivers. Reconnaissance within the park frequency of paleo-Indian and Mummy Cave complex interior has led to a number of site discoveries principally materials. A major report on the Genesee project is situated on lengthy ridges and sand dunes providing access expected by early 1983. to lakes. Finally, Dr. James Helmer, University of Calgary, Jack Ives and Ray LeBlanc, Archaeological Survey of supervised a field school program at the Strathcona site in Alberta (A.S.A.), completed a limited excavation program Edmonton. This work, in addition to its research goals, is at HhOv-73 on the Alsands Lease. This project confirmed used as a public archaeology program associated with the the presence of at least one concentration of microblade Strathcona Science Park.

15 Plains Under Jack Brink's supervision, a major season of archaeo­ logical fieldwork by the Archaeological Survey of Alberta is The single non-impact related research project in the planned for the coming summer. plains was undertaken by L. Milne, Medicine Hat College In the Crowsnest Pass, Lifeways, under the direction of and involved testing a buried Avonlea Phase campsite. The Dr. B.O.K. Reeves and Margaret Kennedy, has been con­ site is located in the valley of Ross Creek south of Irvine. The ducting an extensive Historical Resources Impact Assess­ valley, heavily timbered and containing a number of kills and ment and mitigation program associated with a proposed terrace camps, may have been a major wintering area. As highway development. Excavation at one site, DjPo-40, has few Avonlea Phase campsites have been excavated in uncovered a buried Agate Basin component with associated Alberta, this project promises to provide important culture faunal remains. historical data. Historical archaeology in the Crowsnest Pass area by A major mitigative excavation by ARESCO Ltd. in Michael Forsman (A.S.A.) included research on early 20th conjunction with Lifeways on the Spy Hill Uplands in north century coal mining communities. This consisted of work at Calgary revealed a site situation in a small swale with 1.5 m Leitch Collieries, the Lille Townsite and outlying residential of soil above glacial deposits. It represents a series of small areas of Blairmore and Frank. Margaret Kennedy is also camps. Two occupations occur below Mazama ash and undertaking an historical archaeology program of a "red appear to represent the poorly known Mummy Cave com­ light" district in the Crowsnest. plex; occupations above the ash may represent late Mummy Cave and/or Pelican Lake as well as an Old Woman's Phase tipi ring complex at surface. A major survey and mitigation program by Ethos Con­ sultants Ltd. is underway in Forty Mile Coulee, a glacial PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE spillway channel slated for reservoir development. Super­ vised by John Brumley, over 80 small "tipi ring" sites have ALBERTA ARCHAEOLOGY: PROSPECT AND been recorded on the basin floor and on small slump block RETROSPECT. 1981. 108 p. $8.50 terraces. A series of innovative methods have been deve­ STORY ON STONE: a photographic record ofpetro- loped to map and test the large number of features present. glyphs in the Milk River and Lethbridge areas. 1980. As well as culture historical data, these techniques should 76 p. $9.95. yield important information on the general phenomenon of SUITOR SITES REPORT. 1978. 25 p. $2.50 stone circles. Of the H.R.I.A. projects, a number have yielded inter­ Prepaid orders are sent postage free from: esting data. A previously unknown medicine wheel has been Editorial Office discovered near Grassy Lake, some "oversize" (+10 m) Alberta Archaeological Review stone circles have been found south of Big Stone, and a The University of Lethbridge number of Middle Prehistoric sites have been tested in the Lethbridge, Alberta Wintering Hills north of Hussar. In addition, a 13 component T1K 3M4 Late Prehistoric-Protohistoric campsite north of Balzac is under investigation by Bea Loveseth of Lifeways. Eastern Slopes DEN OF ANTIQUITY In the eastern slopes, Russell Brulott, University of The Book Sales Service of the Alberta, undertook a survey and limited excavations in the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society Racehorse Creek area of southwestern Alberta as part of his Master's thesis research. Mitigative excavations at four sites in the Kananaskis The Den of Antiquity has been operating since 1978 as Park region near Bragg Creek will encompass 200 m2 and, a book sales service to the members of the Saskatchewan as such, make it one of the larger mitigative excavations in Archaeological Society. The Den offers a wide range of titles the province. Directed by Ed McCullough of Fedirchuk on archaeology and related subjects at substantial dis­ McCullough & Associates Ltd. the results of this work counts to members of the S.A.S. Tim Jones, Education should be available by March, 1983. At Brule Lake west of Officer of the S.A.S. and manager of the Den, has graciously Hinton, Bruce Ball recovered an Alberta-like point dated extended the same service and discounts to members of the 8675±270 B.P. from a buried component in a stratified site. Archaeological Society of Alberta. The goal and prac­ Mike Wilson, University of Calgary, reported a chalcedony tice of the Den of Antiquity has been twofold: to provide microblade core from a ploughed field near the High River members with usually the lowest prices available on listed area. The heavily patinated core is from the same field in archaeology books; and to make a modest profit for the which patinated chalcedony Scottsbluff points have been benefit of the S.A.S. collected. To help minimize costs, please enclose a self-addressed, Rod Vickers, Archaeological Survey of Alberta, under­ stamped envelope with any inquiries to the following address: took limited test excavations at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo THE DEN OF ANTIQUITY Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site is slated Sub P.O. 6 for a major interpretive development by Alberta Culture. Box 455 During the winter of 1982/83 research programs in site geology, paleoenvironment, ethnography and interpreta­ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan tion planning will be conducted by a variety of consultants. S7N 0W0

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