The History and Archaeology of a North West Company Trading Post and a Hudson's Bay Company Transport Depot, Lac La Loche, Saskatchewan

Abstract

The results of archaeological investigations carried out in 1971 and 1972 at two historic sites in the Methye Portage-Lac La Loche area of north-central Saskatchewan are presented. The sites are a late 18th-century North West Company trading post, and a late 19th-century Hudson's Bay Company transport depot. A descriptive account of the structural remains from both sites is presented. Also included is an analysis of the artifacts aimed at identification and interpretation of the two sites. As a background to the archaeology, a history of the establishment of posts in the English River District and a history of the Methye Portage-Lac La Loche area is given.