The archaeology of Brabant Lake
Date
2002
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Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Boreal forest archaeology is costly and difficult because of rugged terrain, the remote nature of much of the boreal areas, and the large expanses of muskeg. As a result of these conditions, northern areas have not been subjected to the same amount of fieldwork as the plains regions. What research has been done has largely focused on the major waterways. The neglect of research in northern Saskatchewan has left researchers with many gaps in the archaeological knowledge of the north.
A rare set of environmental circumstances left a region of Brabant Lake devoid of vegetation and organic soils. This exposed a series of archaeological sites on the surface and presented an excellent research opportunity to study archaeology in an area of which little was known. This thesis is the result of three seasons of survey and excavation in this region.
The Brabant region has been shown to have a rich culture history extending back to the Early Side-Notched era. A series of recoveries from deep into the clay at one site hints at a much earlier occupation, however no diagnostic artifacts were recovered. Diagnostic recoveries from Early Taltheilei, Laurel, and Selkirk are identified, as is extensive post-contact use of the area.
The exposed nature of the archaeological sites also yielded a wealth of information regarding site distribution and land use. These data may be used to enhance predictive modelling and research sampling strategies in other boreal areas.
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Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Anthropology and Archaeology
Program
Anthropology and Archaeology