CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Aitken, A.; and Walker, E.
Date : 2005.
Title : Geoarchaeological investigations at some Early Middle Period (Mummy Cave) sites in the Saskatoon Area, Canada.
Publication : Developing International Geoarchaeology Conference 2005 / Conférence Avances en Géoarchéologie Internationale 2005 (DIG 2005 / AGI 2005), St. John, New Brunswick, October 21-23, 2005.
Issue : Programme and Abstracts. Edited by P. Dickinson; L. Wilson and J. Jeandron.
Page(s) : 23.
Abstract
The scarcity of archaeological deposits dating from 7500-5000 years BP and coinciding with the warmer and drier climatic regime of the Altithermal has attracted interest in Plains archaeology for decades. Various geological processes have been suggested for this apparent lack of sites including deep burial as a result of overbank deposition on floodplains or river terraces, the accretion of alluvial fans and apron features and associated debris flow deposits, and inundation associated with fluctuations in lake levels. Alternatively, valley degradation may have removed these deposits. Continuing geoarchaeological research at a number of Mummy Cave and Oxbow complex occupations in the Saskatoon area, especially on a major landform known as the Saskatoon Terrace and in the Opimihaw Creek Valley, are critical to understanding these phenomena. Investigations at eight sites including the Gowen sites (FaNq-25 and FaNq-32), Norby (FbNq-56), FaNq-75, Red Tail (FbNp-10), Cut Arm (FbNp-22), Amisk (FbNp-17) and Thundercloud (FbNp-25) sites are presented. The descriptions of the various archaeological components are provided as a context for a more complete discussion of the stratigraphic profiles at each location. The geologic history of each site is documented with the goal of establishing site formation processes. Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene incision of the Prairie surface accompanying drainage of Glacial Lake Saskatchewan is recorded by the presence of alluvial terraces within the South Saskatchewan River and Opimihaw Creek valleys. The terraces are composed of coarse-grained alluvium capped by fine-grained aeolian deposits or boulder lag surfaces. The mid-Holocene period is characterised by stream channel aggradation. River terraces formed during this period consist largely of fined-grained alluvium interbedded with poorly sorted colluvium and/or fine-grained aeolian deposits. Cultural horizons are associated with overbank and aeolian deposits. Finally, the relationship between changes in the physical environment and human occupation of the Saskatoon area during the Altithermal interval are presented.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology