Archaeological Reports

Historical background covers the First Inhabitants (8000 BC-AD 1737) including the Archaic Period (3000 BC-AD 1) and Laurel (AD 1-1000), Blackduck (AD 510-1450) and Selkirk (developed AD 1000) phases; Contact (1737-1821); Transition (1821-1870); Industrialization and Immigration (1870-1888); and Railway (1888-1988). Stratigraphy of the site is detailed by layer – four distinct time periods defined by five events: Railway Period, construction of B&B Building (1888-1889); Pre-Railway/Post-1826 Flood including HBC Experimental Farm (1836-1848); 1826 Flood; Fur Trade Period including Fort Gibraltar I (1810-1816). Features and artifacts are discussed and charcoal and seed analyses are presented.

This report summarizes the archaeological field school dig at Upper Fort Garry. There are descriptions of the areas excavated, plus recommendations.

Report on the archaeological investigations carried out at the future site of The Forks NHS. Includes an historical overview, project objectives and findings of historic as well as pre-contact remains. Investigations were focused on suspected locations of Forts Gibraltar I and II and included soil testing using a truck-mounted auger.

Monitoring of backhoe excavations and auger tests yielded a total of 1068 artifacts. Historic artifacts (22), all post-dating the construction of the B&B Building in 1888/89, represent the following categories: architectural objects; lighting equipment; transportation; glass, ceramic, and metal dinnerware and storage containers. Precontact artifacts (1046) represent: faunal remains; clothing manufacture; lithic; and ceramic. Ceramics are indicative of Plains cultural group manufacture, and the Precontact occupation here is estimated at 400-800 years ago. Stratigraphy is discussed in detail. Appendices include an artifact catalogue.

This article is about the north gate of mid-1850s Upper Fort Garry. The excavation of this gate is discussed, with studies on the roadway, features, the North Palisade, a summary and discussions and recommendations. There are photographs and profile drawings.

Mitigation of baseball facility construction yielded a total of 86,852 artifacts. Precontact artifacts recovered from two levels include: lithic tools; ceramics representative of Bird Lake, Rainy River, Plains Woodland, and Oneota-like styles; and faunal and floral remains. Postcontact artifacts fall under the following categories: architectural objects; lighting and manufacturing equipment; communication; food processing; clothing; recreation; transportation; unknown; faunal remains; containers including storage, cooking, and ornamental; glass and ceramic dinnerware. Stratigraphy is detailed by layer, and a discussion of land use covers Precontact (4000 BC-AD 1737), Fur Trade (AD 1737-1860), Immigration and Industrial (1860-1900), and Urban (1900-1970) Periods.

Construction monitoring recovered 7574 artifacts from the early 20th century, Protocontact (AD 1650 to 1740), and a Precontact occupation associated with the Blackduck culture (ca. AD 100 to 1400); and a Precontact human burial (dated 1375 years ago). Artifacts represent the following categories: lithics; Precontact ceramics; architectural objects; lighting and manufacturing equipment; communication; clothing; transportation; floral and faunal remains; storage, cooking, ornamental and waste containers; dinnerware. Forensic analysis and cultural context are provided on the burial. Stratigraphy is detailed by layer. Appendices include a final report on the burial by Dr. Christopher Meiklejohn and an artifact catalogue.

Monitoring of installations yielded 404 artifacts relating to the following periods: Late Woodland (AD 500-1737); Fort Gibraltar I (1810-1816); Immigration Sheds (1872-1885); and Railroad (1888-1988). Precontact artifacts are limited to lithic and faunal remains. Postcontact artifacts represent the following categories: architectural objects; transportations; smoking equipment; ceramic, glass, and metal dinnerware, storage, and ornamental containers; clothing; detritus. Features recovered include brick foundations, a midden, and a Precontact occupation site. Stratigraphy is discussed in detail. Appendices include an artifact catalogue.

Monitoring of auger holes and excavations yielded 28 artifacts from Precontact, Homestead and Industrial periods in the following categories: faunal remains; architectural objects; clothing; floral recoveries; soil; and containers. Historical context is briefly discussed for the following periods: First Inhabitants (8000 BC-AD 1737), including Archaic (3000 BC-AD 1) and Woodland (AD 1-1737); Contact (1737-1821), including Fort Gibraltar I (1810-1816); Transition (1821-1870); Industrialization and Immigration (1870-1888); and Railway (1888-1988). Stratigraphy is discussed in detail, providing information on flood activity at The Forks over the last 3000 years. Appendices include an artifact catalogue.