Overview of the 1985 Field Season
by
Jean-Luc Pilon
NOGAP Archaeologist
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Summary of the 1985 fieldwork
The first field season of the Archaeological Survey of Canada, Canadian Museum of Civilization, NOGAP project in the southwest Anderson Plain took place in 1985. Seventy-eight localities were inspected of which forty (40) had evidence of either prehistoric (18) or historic (11) occupations, or both (4). Seven (7) could not be firmly attributed to either period. Most of the prehistoric components are characterized by thin scatters of faunal remains and lithic debitage as well as occasional hearths and fire-cracked rocks. They seem to relate to the late prehistoric period although the nature of the samples makes this statement highly tenuous.| Lake | Stops | Prehistoric | Historic | Mixed | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goéland | 20 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Truite | 15 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Tenlen | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Point | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Deep | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Other Areas | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | 78 | 18 | 11 | 4 | 7 |
Objectives of the 1985 fieldwork
Reconnaissance work can be described as involving both intensive and rapid survey techniques. The distinction stems not only from the obvious difference in the means of transportation utilized (boat versus floatplane), but also in the objectives of these complementary exercises.Essentially, intensive surveys were undertaken by establishing camps on various lakes and making day-trips from these locations in inflatable boats. In this manner the complete perimeters of the particular lakes could be examined for their archaeological potential, and specific localities could be tested.
The second reconnaissance technique was aimed not so much at locating and testing archaeological sites as much as it offered a means by which an area could be effectively assessed in terms of its ecological and archaeological potential as regards the planning of future work. These surveys offered insights into drainage patterns and features of the terrain which were not detectable from a study of aerial photographs, but which were vital before committing crews and time to surveying particular areas. Thus, a number of days were spent examining shorelines from low altitudes and making occasional stops at promising localities in order to verify the aerial observations.
Lastly, a third survey strategy was used while based in Inuvik. It involved using a truck to gain access to potential site locations along the Dempster Highway between Arctic Red River and Inuvik. This opportunistic method did yield some interesting results.
While conducting intensive boat surveys, we proceeded in basically an inductive fashion. It was expected that camps would be found on relatively flat, well-drained areas with or without protection from the elements. Another premise is that over time and at different seasons of the year, access to the present shoreline would be of varying significance. Therefore all or most accessible terraces were examined.
A number of less likely areas were tested as well. It is entirely possible and probable that sites were located in poorly drained, low-lying areas at certain times of the year. However, the efforts required to locate them would be quite considerable and consequently much less time was spent on this type of survey. As the programme was a year behind schedule, the more easily accessible and tested areas were favoured over the latter. The areas examined range from terraces located at river mouths, on points or prominences, as well as some less likely locations.
Upon locating an area appearing suitable for human occupation, the crew would fan out and excavate a number of randomly located shovel test units. Surface indications were also sought, whether these were historic tent emplacements or bits of fire-cracked rock not quite covered-over by the moss and lichen ground cover. Indeed, a number of prehistoric sites were located following the discovery of a cobble or fire-cracked rock which was visible from the surface.
Information relating to the geographic location, the environmental setting and whatever archaeological content was recorded for all stops whether these produced evidence of human occupation or not. This data was entered on a standardized site record form which was accompanied by a glossary to maintain consistency between the various NOGAP archaeologists (see Appendix A).
Once a positive test unit was found, small shovel tests were placed in the more immediate vicinity in order to try to circumscribe the area of use. The shovel tests would be enlarged, usually to 50 cm x 50 cm units and trowelled in order to collect samples but this size varied depending upon the type and density of remains encountered.
In most cases no further excavation was undertaken. Notes would be made by the excavators of all positive test units and the archaeological contents would be collected. Sketch maps were made of most sites.
In three instances, time as well as the nature of the sites allowed for more intensive testing. Grids were imposed and several 1 x 1 m squares were excavated. At these sites, remains were plotted on grid paper and artefacts collected by stratigraphic level; in short, limited excavations were undertaken. Stratigraphic profiles were photographed at most sites and drawn at others. However, detailed notes were kept of all excavations conducted.
Activities carried out during the 1985 field season
The field season began on the 17th of June with the trip from Ottawa to Inuvik. Prior to actually beginning survey work, various local groups were contacted and meetings arranged with some of these in order to clarify the nature of the proposed activities. As such we did not reach the first lake until the 21st of June. This particular lake, lac au Goéland (Johnson Lake) is the first major lake upstream from Tenlen Lake east of Travaillant Lake. A full week was spent on Goéland.Following this first week, the crew was transferred back to Inuvik for two days while our side-band transceiver was repaired and additional supplies of food and fuel were purchased.
The second camp was established on lac à la Truite (Vidiitshuu or Trout Lake), the next major lake down from Tenlen, on the 29th of June. From this base, lac à la Truite was surveyed and a brief reconnaissance was undertaken of Tenlen Lake. However, travel between lakes was difficult due to the shallowness of many stretches of the connecting streams. A trip to lac à l'Aigle, the next lake downstream from lac à la Truite, resulted in considerable damage to the outboard motor but luckily coincided with the completion of work on these lakes.
From the 12th of July onward we were based at the Inuvik Scientific Resource Centre. Using a floatplane, three reconnaissance flights were made in the lakes region of the southwestern Anderson Plain. This resulted in the discovery of additional sites in the western lobe of lac à la Truite, at lac à l'Aigle, on a small lake near lac au Goéland and at Crossing Creek Lake . As well, these trips allowed an appreciation of the environmental differences between various sectors within the survey area. With this additional information, more intensive boat surveys were proposed and carried out on Point and Deep lakes between the 30th of July and the 4th of August.
One other floatplane survey was undertaken of the uplands to the west of Little Chicago. A much better understanding of this area was thus acquired and will aid in planning the 1986 field season.
While based in Inuvik, day-trips down the Dempster Highway were carried out in a rented pick-up truck. Potential localities within reach of the highway were surveyed. The highway also gave access to Campbell Creek and the lake of the same name. However, attempts to survey Campbell Lake were hampered by outboard motor difficulties.
Acknowledgements
The work described in this report was carried out as part of the Northern Oil and Gas Action Plan activities of the Archaeological Survey of Canada. While in the field, we made use of the facilities of the Inuvik Scientific Resource Centre, both in terms of field equipment and housing while based in Inuvik. I would especially like to thank Mr. John Ostrick for his friendly help and David Sherstone.The constant moving of camps and work under often uncomfortable conditions is the darker side of surveying new areas. The crew of Jane Dale, Cathy Yasui and Virna Mae Firth ably took on and carried through all necessary tasks and them some. The advice and help of Jacques Cinq-Mars and Raymond LeBlanc, both in the field and at the Archaeological Survey of Canada, are gratefully acknowledged.
Lastly, Mr. Fred Carmichael and his staff at Antler Aviation provided excellent floatplane support during the course of the summer and I am thankful for the quality of the service rendered.
