ABSTRACT: Prospecting the shores of ancient lake waters: New evidence for early Palaeoindian occupation of the Peace Region, northwestern Alberta.

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Abstract

If not associated with the initial peopling of the continent, the Peace Region may instead represent a contact zone during late Wisconsinan times between human groups from both Northern and Southern areas, long separated by glacial barriers and harsh climatic conditions of the last glacial maximum. Of great importance for the progression of this debate is the recovery of local Early Prehistoric assemblages derived from undisturbed archaeological contexts. This paper presents the results of several years of CRM survey conducted within forested portions of the Peace Region that has attempted to target landforms exhibiting high potential for preserving early Palaeoindian sites. Most notable among the resultant discoveries is the Smuland Creek Site (GdQn-1) that has yielded the proximal portion of a basally thinned (fluted) projectile point and a graver artifact, both diagnostic of earliest prehistoric times in the Peace Region. The elevation of the site lies within the range of strandline features associated with the uppermost and earliest levels of Glacial Lake Peace (Bessborough Phase). Three additional sites with potential bearing on this early time period have been discovered upon local upland beach ridges, glacial lake spillway channels and within areas of reworked glaciodeltaic sands. Previous archaeological research in the Peace Region has recognized potential associations between Palaeoindian sites and younger phases of Glacial Lake Peace development (Clayhurst Phase). The new discoveries present preliminary evidence for early human presence in the region that may be associated with older, upland glacial lake features. The merits of this hypothesis are examined and the implications for palaeoindian site prospection in the Peace Region are discussed.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology