Historical Resources
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HISTORICAL RESOURCES Prepared by: Daniel A. Meyer, Ph.D., Courtney Lakevold, B.Sc., and Mary Attia, B.Sc. Lifeways of Canada Limited 105, 809 Manning Road N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 7M9 and Sam Wilson, M.Sc., P.Geol. Nautilus Paleontology, Inc. 319 Diamond Willow Point Calgary, AB T3Z 2Z5 March 6, 2012 i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Building on the work of previous Historical Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) projects in the area, the Vista Coal Mine Project (Project) was subjected to an HRIA and palaeontological HRIA (pHRIA) during the summer and fall of 2011. This report presents a summary of the scope and scale of the HRIA program, summary results, and site specific recommendations regarding potential impact to the recorded sites. A full HRIA report on archaeological and Historic sites will be submitted, as required, to the Historic Resources Management Branch (HRMB) of Alberta Culture and Community Services (ACCS) under Archaeological Survey of Alberta Mitigative Permit 2011-105. A separate palaeontological HRIA report under Mitigative Palaeontological Excavation Permit 11-018 will be submitted to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. The archaeological HRIA program involved thorough surface reconnaissance and an intensive subsurface testing program. The Project area was also thoroughly inspected for bedrock exposures and fossil materials during the pHRIA. These work programs have resulted in the recording of 38 Precontact and Historic Period archaeological sites in the Project area, an additional 6 in areas of possible future mining, and 1 site outside of the development zone. These sites range considerably in size, age, and significance. In addition, although the Cache Percotte trail once likely crossed a portion of the project area, neither traces of the trail nor associated sites were found within the Project area. No palaeontological remains, save for isolated plant fossils in disturbed contexts, were observed. Of the total of 45 historical resource sites recorded, 20 sites are within the proposed mine permit area, disturbance footprint, or other areas during the HRIA program for the Project on which no further work is recommended prior to disturbance. These sites are typically small, have low artifact density or diversity, or are heavily disturbed. No further work is recommended on sites FiQh-10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 33, 35, and 36, and FiQi-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, and 17 prior to development of the Project or any other ground disturbing activities. Four significant historical resource sites were recorded within the proposed mine permit area that also lie within or directly adjacent to the currently proposed disturbance footprint for the Project. These sites are considered to be of high local, regional, or high regional archaeological significance and Lifeways have recommended that additional investigation be required prior to impact of these. These sites are Precontact in association, and recommended mitigation strategies vary from site to site and include artifact collection, test excavations, and excavations programs of varying scales. Additional investigation is recommended on sites FiQh-27, 30, 31, and 32 prior to development of the Project or any other future ground disturbing activities. A total of 21 significant sites were recorded within the proposed Project mine permit area, but outside areas currently slated for ground disturbing activities. These sites require either continued avoidance or mitigation should development plans change to include impact to these. These sites are considered to be of high local, regional, or high regional ii archaeological significance and it is recommended that additional investigations be required prior to impact. These sites are either Precontact or Historic Period in association, and recommended mitigation strategies vary from site to site and include artifact collection, test excavations, excavations programs of varying scales, and archival or informant research. Additional investigations are recommended on sites FiQh-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 24, 26, 34, and 37, and FiQ-2, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18 prior to any future proposed ground disturbing activities associated with the Project or any other proposed development. The assessment of known sites in the region versus the Project area and anticipated future impacts concludes that the cumulative effect on historical resources in the region following mine development will not be deleterious. For palaeontological remains, a periodic monitoring program is recommended for pit excavation operations of the Project to provide the opportunity for the discovery and subsequent salvage of significant fossil material. Thorough HRIA work has been undertaken throughout the Project area. It is recommended that Historical Resources Act clearance be granted for ground disturbing activities throughout the existing and proposed Project mine permit area and disturbance footprint following implementation of recommended mitigation measures on any significant historical resources sites to be impacted. iii CREDITS Archaeological Field Studies Senior Project Archaeologist: Daniel A. Meyer, Ph.D. Archaeologists: Mary Attia, B.Sc. Brian Beaulieu Courtney Lakevold, B.Sc. Archaeological Analysis and Reporting Report Authors: Daniel A. Meyer, Ph.D. Courtney Lakevold, B.Sc. Mary Attia, B.Sc. Editing: Claire Bourges, M.A. Artifact Analysis: Mary Attia, B.Sc. Daniel A. Meyer, Ph.D. Graphics: Courtney Lakevold, B.Sc. Palaeontological Field Studies Project Palaeontologist: Sam Wilson, M.Sc. Palaeontologists: Mike Riley, M.Sc. Kevin Aulenbach Palaeontological Analysis and Reporting Report Authors: Sam Wilson, M.Sc. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. I CREDITS .................................................................................................................................................. III TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... IV LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ VI LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................... VII 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Historical Resources of the Project Area ...................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Historic Sites ...................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Precontact Aboriginal Archaeological Sites ....................................................................................... 2 1.1.3 Palaeontological Resources ............................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Project Areas and Historical Resources Potential ........................................................................ 3 1.3 Report Contents ........................................................................................................................... 5 2. REGIONAL CULTURE HISTORY (AFTER MEYER AND ROE 2010 AND REEVES AND BOURGES 2002) ........................ 7 2.1 Ice Age Human Occupation of the Eastern Slopes ....................................................................... 7 2.2 The Early Precontact Period ca. 10,500 – 9,750 years ago .......................................................... 9 2.2.1 Clovis Complex ca. 10,500 - 10,000 years ago ................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Windust and Cascade Complexes ca. 10,000 – 9,500 years ago ..................................................... 11 2.2.3 Cody Complex ca. 9,500 - 8,500 years ago ...................................................................................... 11 2.2.4 Plains/Mountain Complex ca. 9,500 – 7,750 years ago ................................................................... 13 2.3 The Early Middle Precontact Period ca. 7,750 –3,000 years ago .............................................. 14 2.3.1 Regional Climate/Environmental Change ........................................................................................ 15 2.3.2 The Mummy Cave Complex ca. 7,750-4,000 years ago ................................................................... 16 2.3.3 McKean Complex ca. 4,500/4,000 – 3,500 years ago ...................................................................... 21 2.4 Late Middle Period Complexes ca. 5,000/4,000 – 1,600 years ago ........................................... 24 2.4.1 Saskatchewan Drainage.................................................................................................................. 24 2.4.2 Athabasca Drainage......................................................................................................................... 26 2.5 Late Precontact Period ca 1,600 – 200 years ago...................................................................... 28 2.5.1 Saskatchewan Drainage.................................................................................................................. 28 2.5.2 Athabasca Drainage........................................................................................................................