INTERACTION AND CHANGE: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A MENNONITE HOMESTEAD IN CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN

Abstract

This archaeological study focusses on a Mennonite homestead found in central Saskatchewan. The homestead, FbNn-14, had three different phases of occupation and/or ownership. The first was the original homesteader, Henrich Dueck and his family, who lived on the homestead from 1907-1922. The homestead was again occupied by the Janzen family from 1926-1936. Lastly in 1945 J. B. Guenther and John W. Friesen owned the homestead until 1950 when the homestead and surrounding lands were turned into a community pasture. The transition of FbNn-14 into a community pasture saw the contents of the household and other structures moved into one depression feature. Through an artifact analysis it was determined that each of the three periods of ownership on the site had an impact on the archaeological assemblage. FbNn-14 represented the use of one homestead by three different sets of Mennonite owners in the early twentieth century. The main objective of the thesis was to achieve an understanding of Mennonite consumption patterns associated with FbNn-14. This study was undertaken by examining Mennonite practices such as the maintenance of social ties, interaction with Anglo-Canadian society, and childhood raising practises. The results of this examination were used to interpret the archaeological material of FbNn-14. The artifacts that received special attention in this analysis were tea wares, artifacts that demonstrated new technology, and mass produced child toys. All of these items showed the extent to which Mennonites at FbNn-14 interacted with the surrounding Anglo-Canadian society and were affected by it.