Archaeological Reports

Monitoring of the reconstruction of Main Street and its arteries from York to Tache Avenue yielded large numbers of fur trade artifacts representing the HBC Upper Fort Garry (1836-1883) and early 20th century commercial and cultural activities. The range of artifacts included: architectural hardware; food processing; recreation; adornment; draft, railroad and vehicle transportation; butchering remains; clothing; flora and fauna; lighting and manufacturing equipment; communication; containers including wood, ceramic, glassware, bottles, cooking, storage, and ornamental; ceramic and glass dinnerware. The ceramics and glassware were thoroughly analysed, using maker’s marks, patterns and company histories. Fur Trade features include a bastion, wall portion, a privy tree-ring dated to 1839, several buildings, and a pit.

In continuation of a 1989 assessment, mechanized excavation of 9 trenches yielded 1533 artifacts. The Late Woodland Period (AD 500-1737), including the Blackduck tradition (AD 750-1000), Precontact artifacts represent the categories of lithics, ceramics, faunal remains, and a hearth feature. Historic artifacts represent the categories of: architectural objects (including structural); glass and ceramic containers; plastic debris; and faunal remains. These are identified with the Early Historic Period (1737-1888), including the Hudson’s Bay Experimental Farm (1836-1848). Stratigraphy is discussed in detail. Appendices include an artifact catalogue.

Four holes excavated by backhoe around the perimeter of the building to expose the footing for structural assessment yielded 13 artifacts from the Postcontact Period, particularly landfill operations between 1907-1915. These included an iron washer, lampshade glass, and bottle glass. The stratigraphy of each hole is discussed. Appendices include an artifact catalogue.

In Archaeology of Main Street Roadworks: York Avenue to Tache Avenue 1996-1998, pp212-216.

This memo discusses the monitoring of auger hole excavations for the installation of a flagpole base (east of the Manitoba Childrens Museum). No archaeological materials were encountered.

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.

Assessment included monitoring of geo-technical drilling, surface collection of exposed areas, sub-surface auger investigations, and backhoe excavations of a parking lot area. A brief historic background is provided from archival research. A total of 2,308 Postcontact artifacts were recovered, the earliest relating to a homestead structure standing in 1848. The following categories are represented: structural artifacts; transportation; tools and equipment; housewares; clothing and accoutrements; dinnerware; containers; food product residue; and miscellaneous. Soil stratigraphy is described in detail, and interpretation and recommendations are included. Appendices include an artifact list, photographic plates, and an artifact inventory catalogue.

This is a report on the monitoring of Geo-Technical drilling and exploratory trenches that recovered 229 artifacts from 3 major levels: Railroad Fill (1900s); Early Historic (1737-1885) including Hudson’s Bay Experimental Farm period (1836-1848); and Precontact Native Ceramics (Blackduck tradition, AD 500-1750). Postcontact artifacts (78) represent: architectural objects; dinnerware; glass and ceramic storage containers; transportation; floral and faunal remains; detritus; soil samples. Precontact artifacts (150) represent ceramic, floral and faunal remains. Stratigraphy is discussed in detail. Appendices include an artifact catalogue.