CARD

Lab number: S-118
Material dated: charcoal; charbon de bois

Locality: on the north bank of Saugeen River, 3.5 km upstream from Lake Huron, Annabel Township, Bruce County, Ontario
Map sheet: 41 A/11

Submitter: J.V. Wright
Date submitted: September 16, 0096

Measured Age: 725 ± 50
Normalized Age: 725 ± 50
δ¹³C (per mil): -25.0

Significance: Middle Woodland, Saugeen; anomalous, young; Sylvicole moyen, anormal, jeune
Context: Pit 3 in the burial area

Additional information: contamination by recent burned pine roots is suspected
Comments: BdHi-1, Donaldson: Spence, et al. (1990: 135) summarize contrasting views concerning this site: "A Meadowood component is indicated at the Donaldson site by the presence of 3 Meadowood points, a probable Meadowood preform, an unfinished trapezoidal gorget, an unfinished birdstone, and 18 sherds of Vinette 1 ware, representing at least 6 vessels... Vinette 1 ceramics are associated with both of the early radiocarbon dates [S-119, S-470], so these probably pertain to an early, distinct Meadowood occupation of the site... J. Wright..., on the other hand, believes that the intermingling of Vinette 1 and Saugeen ceramics reflects their contemporaneity and the early appearance of the decorated Saugeen series on the Bruce Peninsula... Unfortunately, the Early Woodland component has been so extensively disturbed and masked by the later Saugeen occupation that we cannot determine its extent, seasonality, or subsistence practices." All agree that the anomalously young age of S-118 may reflect contamination by recent burned pine roots. Cooper and Savage (1994: 26) note that Burns' faunal analysis, with 76% fish, 21% mammal, supports the site's interpretation as a fishing station. The identified fish species are mostly spring-summer spawners, but lake trout and whitefish may extend seasonality to autumn. Weir- and spear-fishing are suggested as the main techniques. The value of the sample was greatly increased by flotation methods used for recovery. Blakeley analyzed 520 specimens primarily from midden features rather than hearth pits, and 80% were mammal, 17% fish. The low fish frequency is thought to be related to small sample size and provenience.

Canada / ON / BdHi-___1 (Donaldson) / S-118

References