Archaeological Reports

Monitoring and mitigation of construction of Pioneer and Water Avenue reconfiguration yielded Precontact artifacts (7001) tentatively attributed to the Peace Meeting horizon (AD 1275-1295) from the following categories: lithics, ceramics (Rainy River, Plains Woodland, Bird River), floral and faunal remains. Postcontact artifacts (49) derived from the Industrial Period (1870-1989) represent categories of: architectural objects; manufacturing equipment; clothing; recreation; adornment; medicine; glass and ceramic storage, cooking, and dinnerware containers. Where possible, containers (bottles, dinnerware) are identified by manufacturer and date. Stratigraphy is discussed in detail.

Monitoring of the expansion of south-side seating facilities yielded a total of 1155 Precontact artifacts in the following categories: lithic; ceramic; floral and faunal remains. Preliminary identification of 2 ceramic rim sherds suggests Devil’s Lake-Sourisford and Oneota affiliation. As these types likely originated a significant distance away from The Forks, the cultural horizon is attributed to the Aboriginal Peace Meeting (640 years ago). Stratigraphy is discussed in detail.

Monitoring of drilling yielded Precontact artifacts (2658) from lithic, ceramic, faunal and floral categories in three cultural horizons associated with dates of AD 1040 and AD 1285, and with the Aboriginal Peace Meeting 600 years ago. Historic artifacts (74) representing categories of: architectural objects; lighting equipment; communication; storage, ornamental and dinnerware containers; and floral and faunal remains. They are related to archival data from the early Immigration (1870-1888) and Railway (1888-1988) periods. Stratigraphy is discussed in detail, and stratigraphic profiles are included in appendices. A resource management plan is outlined.