The late prehistoric period at the Turn in Kingsway Park, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Abstract

This thesis discusses the archaeological resources at the Turn area of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in light of two field seasons of investigations undertaken there in 1984 and 1985. Excavations recovered a Plains/Prairie Side-notched assemblage and an Avonlea assemblage which are described here. The implications of these assemblages are discussed with respect to the cultural chronology of the area and a typological description of Avonlea period ceramics is produced. The assemblage is also discussed with respect to current theories regarding the lifeways in the area during the Late Prehistoric period. It is proposed that the archaeological resources at the Turn, currently regarded as two sites (the Davies and Garratt sites) actually represent a single continuous site which covers the entire floodplain area at the Turn. It is further proposed that the occupations there represent campsite activities which took place over a variety of seasons ranging from early fall to late spring and possibly occasionally extending into the summer.