Overview of the 1986 Field Season
by
Jean-Luc Pilon
NOGAP Archaeologist
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Summary of the 1986 fieldwork
The second season of fieldwork in the southwest Anderson Plain by the Archaeological Survey of Canada, Canadian Museum of Civilization, NOGAP project took place in 1986. A number of previously known sites (5) were revisited in order to collect additional information and 18 new sites were found. Semi-subterranean house pits were discovered on 4 of the revisited sites. Two other house pits were discovered on one of the newly discovered sites. Most of the new sites consist of thin scatters of faunal remains and lithic debitage and occasionally evidence of combustion activities. Most of these sites appear to relate to the late prehistoric period. Indeed, the data which are now available for this time period should soon permit a preliminary synthesis of the exploitation patterns of this area.
Objectives
The primary objective of the 1986 field activities was to increase our knowledge of the occupation of the southwest Anderson Plain. Following our 1985 fieldwork (Pilon 1985), as well as previous archaeological surveys in the region(Cinq-Mars 1975; Millar and Fedirchuk 1975; Morrison 1984), we had a sizeable data base which, however, contained numerous gaps concerning land use.
By continuing to work in the southwest Anderson Plain, we hoped to attain certain specific goals. The first was to verify and complement observations we had made at particular sites found in 1985. Secondly, we wished to complete our site sampling with additional surveys, especially in those parts of the study area which had not yet been examined: the Thunder River Valley, the Whirl Lake area and the region surrounding the town of Inuvik. Lastly, we hope to acquire a better understanding of the prehistoric use of the Mackenzie River. Such an undertaking was viewed as necessary given one opinion according to which this waterway was a "River to Nowhere?" (Clark 1983). To achieve this goal, we decided to conduct an archaeological reconnaissance of the Mackenzie between Arctic Red River and the mouth of Thunder River. This would also include an attempt to relocate and evaluate MacNeish's site at Arctic Red River (1953).
Itinerary
The archaeological crew was comprised of four individuals: Jane Dale (Archaeological Survey of Canada), Cathy Yasui (University of Toronto), Verna Mae Firth (high school student from Aklavik) and myself. Camp moves from one lake to another were made by floatplane while we travelled along the shore of these lakes by ZODIAC (inflatable boat). The survey of the Mackenzie River was made by "river scow", the flat-bottomed boat characteristic of the region, belonging to Mr. Gabe Andre of Arctic Red River.
We arrived at Inuvik on June 16, 1986 and spent the first few days preparing our field equipment and purchasing the necessary supplies to last two weeks at lac à la Truite.
The first Cessna 206 flight took place on June 19. We wanted to establish our base camp at the narrows in the western part of the lake. Upon arrival there it quickly became apparent that break-up had not proceeded as far as we had anticipated, based on then-current daytime temperatures. We found ice still covering more than 3/4 of the lake's surface! We manage to land the floatplane on the open water just across from our intended camp. However, this landing broke up the ice with its wake and the free water was soon covered with ice behind us. We unloaded the plane and made three attempts at taking off, each time first slowly clearing a path through the ice. These tries ended in failure. Finally we managed to take off, having cleared the longest possible corrider of free ice and skillfully banked immediately following take off in order to avoid the spruce trees growing near the water's edge. Of course we did not return again that day, but waited until the next day.
We remained at our first camp until June 29. For there we carried investigations at MlTk-2, MlTk-3, MlTk-4 and discovered three new sites (MlTk-6, MlTk-7, MlTk-8).
We transferred our base camp to the long point in the middle of lac à la Truite on June 29 and 30. This was done by pulling the smaller inflatable boat (AVON), fully ladden with equipment, behind the ZODIAC. Three trips were required to complete this move.
From this second base camp, we conducted work at MlTj-2 and MlTj-3 until July 9. At that time our gear was transferred to Whirl Lake by floatplane while the crew headed to Inuvik. From there day trips were undertaken to Arctic Red River and Fort MacPherson where we met with the local band councils in order to update them on our work and inform them of our plans. We also left "posters" which described and illustrated the first year of activities of the NOGAP Archaeology Project. In addition to this public relations work, we also undertook site survey in parts of the Campbell Hills.
On July 14 we establish our camp at Whirl Lake. We hoped to survey that lake as well as the next lake up, Fishing Bear Lake, and the next lake down, Attoe Lake. We did not, however, reach the latter owing to the shallowness of the stream linking Whirl and Attoe Lakes. Thus we left Whirl Lake on July 19 in order to prepare for the survey of the Mackenzie River. Our equipment was stored at Arctic Red River (with Mr. Colin Webster, manager of the Band Store) and we headed to Inuvik with that portion of the gear not required for the river survey.
We returned to Arctic Red River by pick-up truck and obtained the services of Mr. Gabe Andre as guide. We left Arctic Red River on July 22, but were forced to abandon our plan to reach the mouth of Thunder River near the half way mark ower to outboard motor problems.
We carried out limited testing in the settlement of Arctic Red River on July 28 and 29, and we returned to Inuvik the night of the 29th. During the next few days, until August 3, we conducted site surveys in the vicinity of Inuvik and prepared our equipment for winter storage at the Inuvik Research Centre or for shipment to Hull.
Acknowledgements
Returning to the same area as last summer I had the pleasure of renewing friendships and making new ones. I am especially grateful to Mr. John Ostrick of the Inuvik Research Centre for his kindness. He is always ready to accomodate researchers who are not always concerned about other people's work hours. Fred and Miki Carmichael, along with the pilots of Antler Aviation smoothly facilitated our camp moves.
At Arctic Red River we were warmly welcome by Mr. Colin Webster, the Band Store manager, a Scotsman continuing the long tradition of scottish hospitality in Canada's North. Mr. Walter Firth readily shared his knowledge of the area which he has acquired having grown up in the region, been a trapper, HBC manager, radio host, member of the Parliament of Canada, amateur photographer and currently band administrator for the Arctic Red River band.
We are also grateful for the warm reception offered us by the community of Arctic Red River which gave us all the help possible. In particular, I would like to thank the following individuals: Ms. Grace Blake (Chief of the Arctic Red River band), Sister Matte, Mr. Gabe Andre, Mr. Hyacinthe Andre.
I worked with the same crew as last summer: Jane Dale, Cathy Yasui and Verna Mae Firth. Cathy was provided with the opportunity of developing her skills by overseeing the work at MlTj-3. Her carefull observations and her detailed field notes greatly helped in writing the synthesis of the data from this site and attest to the success of her learning. Jane Dale had the added responsibility for our equipment and supplies. She worked under often less than ideal conditions, but nonetheless regaled us with wonderful meals and always ensured that nothing was missing. Verna Mae Firth maintained a keen interest in the work. Moreover, she still loved to fish and play cards!!!
Writing a field report in French should not be, for a bilingual person, an unusual undertaking. However, there are many levels of bilingualism, some of which have not yet been recognized by the Public Service Commission. I required the kind help of my francophone colleagues at the Archaeological Survey of Canada: Lucie Johanis and Jacques Cinq-Mars. Lucie edited the report section describing the birchbark canoe found at MlTj-2, while Jacques undertook to edit the entire text, an onerous task! All errors and difficulties which may be found remain, however, my sole responsibility.
Lastly, I would like to thank my NOGAP colleagues Jacques Cinq-Mars and Raymond LeBlanc for the help and support they gave me over the course of the last year.
