Archaeological Research
Intensive archaeological research began, at what is now Wanuskewin Heritage Park, in 1982 with two years spent on reconnaissance for archaeological sites. In 1984, a long term research program was initiated to investigate, in a more detailed manner, the real significance of many of these sites. To date there are 19 pre-contact sites to be found within the valley and two historic sites making this region the longest running active archaeological site in Canada.
Archaeological field investigations are a slow, laborious task and analyses of recovered materials can even be more time-consuming. The following synopsis provides a summary of what is known about the various archaeological deposits at the present time.
Current Archaeological Research
A number of aims and objectives have been established for the long term archaeological research program. The unusual concentration and multi-component nature of the many prehistoric sites at Wanuskewin is ample evidence that this relatively small tributary creek valley attracted human occupation for thousands of years. Consequently the first goal is to identify the cultural history of this region by sampling each archaeological deposit. This recovery of basic information such as the type of site, the number of occupations, the real extent of the site, and especially the time depth and cultural affiliation of each occupation is a traditional goal of archaeological science. Modern archaeology, however, must go beyond this basic objective to study various aspects of human behaviour from the past. For instance, the majority of the archaeological sites at Wanuskewin are undisturbed because little or no cultivation has taken place within the park boundaries. Periodic flooding of the Opimihaw Creek Valley has further sealed most of the occupation levels in clay-silt deposits, which are highly conductive to the preservation of organic remains. As a result, animal bone preservation is excellent and the potential for the recovery of plant residues is equally good. Using water screening and flotation techniques, a large sample of seeds, small bird, mammal and amphibian skeletal remains, insect parts and other materials have been recovered.
The second goal, then, is to determine the patterns of fauna and floral resource utilization over time with a particular emphasis on seasonality. Since many of the sites are situated in sheltered bottom-land areas and others on the exposed uplands, we might infer that seasonal differences may be present.
Finally, the question of fluctuation of resource utilization over the past 6,000 years might be considered. Using pollen data and other indicators, such as freshwater gastropod shells, a description of the paleo-environmental record might be achieved. Once these ecological variables are understood, differences in resource utilization may then be attributed to cultural preferences or to environmental fluctuations in resource availability. In summary, the major theme of this research is to investigate subsistence/settlement patterns across the Northern Plains over the last 6,000 years as seen from the Wanuskewin region.
The Archaeological Sites by Dr. Ernest G. Walker
The archaeological sites found within the Wanuskewin Heritage Park include numerous habitation sites; four bison kills sites, a tipi ring site, and a boulder alignment. These sites show intensive occupation particularly of the Opimihaw Creek Valley over the past 6,000 years. Evidence for even earlier occupation of the region is revealed by artifacts recovered from the uplands about two kilometers north of the park area. These materials suggest an occupation time depth of about 7,000 to 8,000 years in the general area.
Since intensive and detailed investigations of the various archaeological sites were only begun in the 1970′s, the amount of information available for each site to date is uneven.
Site (FbNp-1)
This site is multi-component habitation site located on a bar near the mouth of the creek. A series of 15 occupation levels have been identified to date, all of which are sealed in alluvial deposits. The numerous hearth feathers and complex stratigraphic are particularly noteworthy at this site. Although analysis for the recovered artifacts is not yet complete and because diagnostic artifacts are not available for each cultural level, the presence of some projectile points and ceramic fragments allows a preliminary cultural sequence to be identified.
The uppermost level, 1, is clearly historic, as indicated be the presence of trade beads, metal fragments including metal trade projectile points, and glass fragments. A series of Plain and Prairie Side-notched levels (levels 2 through 11) are found below this late occupation which in turn is followed by an Avonlea level (level 12) and a Besant level (level 13). Pre-ceramic occupations have yet to be examined in detail. It is expected that this site will serve as the cultural and temporal datum of the late Prehistoric period in the area because of its complete cultural sequence. These excavations wee completed during the years 1985 to 1987.
Wanuskewin Medicine Wheel (FbNp-2)
This boulder configuration is not a medicine wheel structure in the classic terminology. The site consists of a central cairn of stones surrounded by a peripheral ring of stones. Three smaller stone cairns lie outside the peripheral ring, but are not connected to the central cairn with radiating spokes as in classic medicine wheel structures. The recovery of a side-notched projectile point from the surface near the boulder alignment and ceramic fragments from the central cairn suggest the structure is of Late prehistoric affiliation and is probably young than 1,500 years.
Mosquito Site (FbNp-5)
This site is located in a former garden plot and has been partially disturbed by cultivation. The site was first observed as a lithic scatter, but test excavations later revealed buried materials in silt below the plough zone. It is probably that the site represents a single component habitation area and the recovery of Oxbow projectile points indicated the site is about 4,000 years old.
Sunburn Tipi Ring Site (FbNp-7)
Located immediately adjacent to the medicine wheel, this site consists of a total of nine tipi rings distributed along the margin of a drainage basin. Test excavations carried out at this location consisted of the complete excavation of a single tipi ring.
This ring yielded only a few bone fragments and two broken hammer stones. No diagnostic artifacts were recovered and no age or cultural affiliation has yet been determined.
Crows Nest Site (FbNp-8)
This site is situated on the upland area north of a drainage basin. The site represents a single component habitations area buried in the shallow subsurface. Although no diagnostic artifacts were recovered from the test excavations, a side notched projectile point recovered from the surface may indicate a late Prehistoric age.
Meewasin Site (FbNp-0)
This site is located in a deep drainage basin on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. The site consists of two activity areas: a bison procurement area and a processing/habitation area. The kill area is situated at the base of a moderately steep slope and may have involved the use of a pound structure. Test excavations revealed the presence of at least two kill episodes. The associated processing/habitation area is situated immediately east of the hill area and consists of at least three occupation levels. A single tipi ring is associated with the uppermost level. The recovery of a Besant projectile point from the surface indicates that one of these levels dates to about 2,000 years before present and may well be related to one of the bison kill events.
Red Tail Site (FbNp-10)
The Red Tail site lies in the bottom of a small drainage basin in the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. The site represents a multi-component habitation area situated on both sides of an intermittent drainage channel. Detailed excavations have revealed a series of 15 cultural levels spanning the past 5,000 years. Of particular interest are the multiple McKean Complex occupations (levels 11 – 13) which date to 3,500 – 4,200 years before present. A possible pit house feature was observed in the north wall of the excavation block associated with level 8. The Red Tail site is important because of the intensive early occupation levels at a locale away from the main valley; Excavations took place at the Red Tail site from 1988 to 1991.
Dusty Horn Site (FbNp-13)
This site consists of a large lithic scatter located on the uplands west of the Opimihaw Creek Valley. The absence of any diagnostic artifacts with the exception of a few ceramic fragments makes an assessment of its age and cultural affiliation difficult. The site probably represents a single component habitation site and is one of the few sites situated some distance from the Opimihaw Creek Valley and the South Saskatchewan River.
Newo Asiniak Site (FbNp-16)
Newo Asiniak means ‘four stones’ in the Cree language. The Newo Asiniak site is located in a geomorphologically complex portion of the Opimihaw Creek Valley bottom consisting of a point bar and a series of meander scars. The site is composed of a small bison kill and associated processing/habitation area. Extensive excavations carried out in 1984 and 1985 revealed the presence of two bone beds in the kill area and a series of seven cultural levels in the processing/habitation area.
Although it is clear that the kill area was used in the communal procurement of bison, there is little or no separation of cultural levels within 40 centimeters of sediments. A large assemblage of bison bone and some canid elements including individual butchering units have been recovered from the kill area. All projectile points from the upper level are of the Plains Side-notched type consistent with a radiocarbon estimate of 185 - 190 years (A.D. 1765). Evidence of an earlier kill event for which no diagnostic artifacts have been recovered comes from a radiocarbon estimate 1540 ± 70 years (A.D. 410).
Excavations in the associated processing habitation area revealed a series of seven occupation levels. Level 1 represents a Late Prehistoric occupation based on a series of plains Side-notched projectile points. A radiocarbon estimate of 750 ± 70 years (A.D. 1200) is consistent with this cultural affiliation. Cultural level 2 yielded a number of projectile points typical of the Avonlea complex. A radiocarbon estimate of 915 ± 70 years (a.D. 1035) was obtained for this level. Cultural level 3 produced Besant projectile points which are consistent with the radiocarbon estimate of 2235 75 years (285 B.C.). Cultural level 4 is probably Pelican Lake based on projectile point morphology and the associated radiocarbon estimate.
Finally, cultual levels 5 through 7 produced no diagnostic artifacts, but radiocarbon estimates all indicate Middle and Late Prehistoric occupations.
Amis Site (FbNp-17)
Amisk is the Cree word meaning ‘beaver’. The Amisk site is located on a large terrace on the west side of Opimihaw Creek and represents a multicomponent habitation site. Seven cultural levels were identified during extensive excavations carried out in 1984 and 1985.
Cultural level 1 consists of a thick artifact-bearing layer containing Plains Side-notched, Prairie Site-notched and Avonlea projectile points. As many as 10 occupation levels may be present. Strati-graphically, this upper level cannot be separated into constituent levels. Radiocarbon estimate of 905 ± 155 years (a.D. 1405) from the lower portion of the unit and 480± 65 years (a.D. 1470) from the upper portion are consistent with the cultural items recovered. Artifacts recovered from level 2 are not diagnostic, but were associated with two buried stone circles probably representing habitation structures. The radiocarbon estimate for level 2 is 3055 ± 70 years (1105 B.C.). Level 2 also produced no diagnostic artifacts, but contain a dense accumulation of lithic debitage and faunal remains. Cultural levels 4, 5 and probably 6 all represent Oxbow occupations, based on the projectile points recovered. Radiocarbon estimates are consistent with such Middle Prehistoric Period occupations. Finally, cultural level 7 yielded no diagnostic artifacts, but did produce and early radiocarbon estimate of 5340 ± 120 years (3390 B.C.).
Opimihaw Site (FbNp-18)
‘Opimihaw’ is a Cree word meaning “the flying one” or “the one who flies”. This site is located on a large terrace along the west side of Opimihaw Creek. At least nine occupation levels have been revealed in the text excavation, all sealed in alluvial deposits. The site represents a multicomponent bison jump and associated processing/habitation area for which the time depth and cultural affiliation have yet to be determined.
Juniper Flats (FbNp-19)
This site is located on a large terrace on the east side of Opimihaw Creek. The site represents a multicomponent habitation area comprised of at least seven occupation levels. No diagnostic artifacts have been recovered from the test excavations and the time depths and cultural affiliations of these occupations remain to be determined.
Buffalo Trail Peak Site (FbNp-20)
This site is located on the upland on the east side of Opimihaw Creek. The site represents a single component habitation are buried in the shallow subsurface. No diagnostic artifacts were recovered from test excavations and therefore the time depth and cultural affiliation of this occupation are unknown at the present time.
Buena Vista (FbNp-21)
Similarly, this site is located on the upland overlooking Opimihaw Creek, but is situated along the west margin of the valley; the site represents a single component habitation area buried in the shallow subsurface. No diagnostic artifacts were recovered from test excavations and the time depth and cultural affiliation have yet to be determined.
Cut Arm Site (FbNp-22)
The Cut Arm site is located in a shallow depression on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. The site represents a multicomponent habitation area comprised of at least four occupation levels. No diagnostic artifacts were recovered from the test excavation and therefore the time depth and cultural affiliation of the various occupations have yet to be determined.
Dog Child Site (FbNp-24)
This site is located on a point bar on the west side of Opimihaw Creek and is the most northerly site in the creek valley. The site is a multicomponent habitation area comprised of at least four occupation levels. No diagnostic artifacts were recovered from the test excavations and therefore the time depth and cultural affiliations of the various occupations have yet to be determined.
Thundercloud Site (FbNp-25)
This site is located on a terrace in the bottomland on the east side of the creek. A total of five occupation levels have been identified in the ongoing excavations at this site. Level 1 is a postcontact (historic) occupation having yielded metal projectile points and fragments as well as trade beads. Level 2 through 5 require more work in order to establish cultural affiliation and time depth. The Thundercloud site is a habitation area and have achieved some notoriety because of the recovery of two pottery gaming disks during the 1993 field investigations.
Wolf Willow Site (FbNp-26)
The Wolf Willow site is a multicomponent occupation area located on a point bar on the west side of Opimihaw Creek. A bison kill may be associated with this site, suggested by a series of 16 stone cairns located on the upland at the end of a long swale. These cairns may well represent part of a drive lane structure that has been disrupted by cultivation. A total of four occupation levels have been identified in the test excavations, although their time depths and cultural affiliations have yet to be determined.
Star Gazer Site (FbNp-27)
This site consists of a large lithic scatter situated on the upland on the east side of Opimihaw Creek. The site has been disturbed by cultivation, but probably represents a single component habitation area. The recovery of two McKean projectile points from the surface indicates the occupation probably dates to about 3,500 years ago.