An Aboriginal Presence

Our Origins

Archaeology - As the World Took Its Present Form

Grant Lake (west of Hudson Bay, about 8,000 years ago) - By about 8,000 years ago, most of the northern Hudson Bay area was free of glacial ice. Plants, animals and people could begin colonizing its shores. When occupied about 8,000 years ago, the Grant Lake site was only a few dozen kilometres from the sea, and a lingering ice cap.

The styles of tools found by archaeologists at the site are similar to those found from the same time period in many other areas of North America. This suggests that people had recently moved into the area from un-glaciated lands to the south or west. People probably occupied the Grant Lake site in order to intercept migrating caribou, which are still abundant in the area.

 Land   Ice   Water
 Grant Lake site

Extent of glaciation, 8,000 years ago
Courtesy of Richard Morlan, Canadian Museum of Civilization

Archaeological excavations at Grant Lake Photograph by James Wright, Canadian Museum of Civilization

Debert (Atlantic Canada, 11,000 years ago)

Grant Lake (west of Hudson Bay, about 8,000 years ago)

Kettle Lake (High Arctic Canada, 4,500 years ago)