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Archaeology in Newfoundland and
Labrador 1997
Edited by K. Nelmes
Field Report for the 1997 Fleur de Lys Archaeology Project
John Erwin
WORK
SUMMARY FOR 1997 In
1996 the Dorset Soapstone Quarry Association was awarded a grant from the
Newfoundland Economic Renewal Program for the development of a museum and
interpretation centre in the town of Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland. In
conjunction with this development, a regional archaeological survey and
excavation program are being undertaken to develop a greater understanding
of the archaeological resources and the prehistory of the Baie Verte
region. The centrepiece of the project is the Dorset Palaeoeskimo
soapstone quarry site, Fleur de Lys 1 (EaBa-1), which was awarded National
Historic status in July of 1996, and is the present focus of recent
archaeological investigations that commenced in July 1997.
The Fleur de Lys site consists
of an extensive series of heavily-worked soapstone outcrops which bear the
scars of several hundred years of Dorset quarrying activities for the
production of soapstone vessels. Fieldwork in 1997 was directed at three
principal objectives:
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the block excavation of a
large contiguous area immediately below one of the main quarried loci
at the site in order to remove spoil from the front of the quarried
cliff and to further expose the worked face, as well as to add to our
understanding of the extent and nature of quarrying activities that
took place there. A total of 23 one metre units were fully or
partially excavated with over 1100 artifacts collected, which
consisted primarily of various types of Dorset quarrying tools. In a
waterlogged clay lens near the base of the deposit, a number of wooden
poles were uncovered that may have been part of the Dorset quarrying
tool kit, or they may have been part of a scaffolding structure.
Samples of these have been submitted for radiocarbon dating.
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documentation of preforms
and preform removal scars in several loci (1D-1G) that had been
inaccessible in previous visits to the outcrops due to extremely dense
vegetation cover.
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conducting preliminary
surveys along the surrounding Baie Verte coastline. These resulted in
the discovery of a Palaeoeskimo house structure and habitation site at
Plat Bay Cove on the northernmost point of the peninsula.
Plans for the 1998 season
include: (1) a comprehensive archaeological survey of the entire Baie
Verte Peninsula; (2) the completion of area excavations and documentation
of quarried loci at Fleur de Lys 1; and (3) complete excavation of the
Dorset house structure and associated deposits at Plat Bay Cove. [1]
This report is divided into
three main parts: (1) the excavations at Fleur de Lys 1; (2) the survey
and test pit work conducted on the Baie Verte Peninsula; and, (3) summary
and conclusions.
PART 1 - EXCAVATIONS AT
FLEUR DE LYS 1 (EaBa-1) - LOCALITY 1, GROUP B (NORTH)
Despite past investigations at
this locality (Nagle 1982; Thomson 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987), no excavation
has completely determined the depth of the deposits adjacent to the quarry
face since these previous tests were halted less than a metre below
surface due to flooding. The current Fleur de Lys project has been able to
continue below these levels with the aid an electric water pump and 15
metres of plastic piping which moves the continuous flow of water away
from the excavation. The 1997 excavations attained a depth up to 1.3
metres below surface in some units. The removal scars on the quarry face
continue down below the lowermost levels, to a yet undetermined depth. It
is planned that these excavations will be completed in the summer of 1998.
(i) Site Preparation:
During the week of August
4-11, 1997, much of the brush and debris was removed from the area
revealing numerous preforms and preform removal scars in several loci
along the quarry face that had been inaccessible in previous visits to the
outcrops.
Prior to excavation, six 50x50
cm test pits were excavated to a depth of approximately 50 cm along the
east side of the boardwalk (Figure 1) within proximity of the eventual
location of our screen and backdirt piles. This was undertaken prior to
screening operations as a means to determine where to locate backdirt and
rock piles to avoid unnecessary disturbance of undiscovered archaeological
features.
The stratigraphy of these test
pits generally consisted of two fairly well defined layers. The upper 20
cm consisted of black-brown loam which contained many stones, and a few
unworked soapstone fragments. The lower layer (approximately 50 cm) was
characteristically reddish-brown in colour [2]
containing numerous large rocks, some unmodified soapstone fragments and a
single modified vessel fragment found in Test Pit 6. As no archaeological
features were discovered in this area, rock piles were located in the
northern portion of the test area, and screened soil was spread out over
the southern extent.
A seventh 50 x 50 cm test pit
was excavated on the west side of the boardwalk (Figure 1), with the
intention that a permanent datum peg would be cemented in place. This idea
was abandoned after the excavation filled with water at a depth of 30 cm.
No artifacts were recovered from this test pit. However, numerous
unmodified soapstone fragments were noted.
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Figure 1. Test Pit
Locations at Fleur de Lys 1 (EaBa-1)
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(ii) Survey and Measurement of Cliff
Face:
Given that a recent Land
Survey Plan in 1996 did not contain an accurate rendering of the cliff
face, we undertook a brief survey with the theodolite and mapped the
extent and location of this feature. To do this we located survey markers
along the Johanna Walsh Grant boundary and established a datum line along
the length of the locality. From this line, we measured the approximate
location of the quarry face using tape measures. A final site plan from
this survey will be produced in the summer of 1998.
(iii) The Excavation:
The purpose of this excavation
was to further expose the worked face of the quarry, and to add to our
understanding of the extent and nature of quarrying activities that took
place at this locality. A total of 36 one metre square units were laid out
directly abutting the quarry face (Figure 2). The excavation of this large
contiguous area began August 4 and was closed September 16, 1997. During
this period, a total of 23 one metre square units were opened.
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Figure 2. Fleur de
Lys (EaBa-1) Locality 1 Excavation Grid
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Initially, we opened six units as a trench perpendicular to the quarry
face (nos. 4, 10, 16, 22, 28, and 34) as a test and control for the
remainder of the excavation. Based on this initial excavation, we
determined that the original ground surface in the area was about 60 cm
below the surface at about 5 m from the quarry face (unit 34), and is
marked by a blackened and burned palaeosol. As such, it is proposed that
the vegetation in proximity to the quarry face was burnt quite early on in
the use of the site, probably as a means to gain easier access to this
valuable resource. The depth of this layer below surface varies according
to site topography. Interestingly, this blackened layer does not occur
within the approximately 1.5 metres of the quarry face, suggesting that
this area was dug out by Dorset peoples at some time after the initial
burning of the vegetation to access additional soapstone below the
original ground surface (Figure 3). This appears to be the case, as we
continue to find removal scars on the soapstone, well below the original
ground surface.
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Figure 3. EaBa-1:
North Profile of Units 4 & 10.
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(iv) Waterlogged Wooden Structure:
Since this site has previously
yielded little preserved organic material, the finding of a preserved
wooden structure near the quarry face was quite an unexpected and
fortuitous development. This feature is located within at least five
excavation units (nos. 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11) (see Figure 2) at a depth of
approximately 100 cm below the surface. Since we were not able to expose
the entire structure during the 1997 field season, it was re-buried under
approximately one metre of soil before capping the entire excavation for
the winter.
Initially we believed that
this structure may have been the remains of an historic well, since: (1)
there was considerable disturbance in the layers above; (2) a constant
flow of water percolated up from beneath this unit; and (3) there are
shallow wells in this area with wooden support structures. From the ground
surface to about 60 cm below surface, the soil consisted of a black
peat-like matrix, which contained a mix of historic and prehistoric
artifacts (e.g. flakes, soapstone pots, pot fragments, a bullet cartridge,
a bottle cap, ceramics, etc.).
Below this disturbed level is
a finely layered grey clay layer with water-sorted reddish-orange mottling
which completely envelopes a series of modified wooden timbers that cross
one another at roughly right angles (Figure 4).
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Figure 4. EaBa-1:
Units 4 and 10
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The orientation of this structure is
roughly parallel with the quarry face. Within this layer, which is at
least 40 cm thick, no historic artifacts were recovered. However, it
contained numerous Dorset quarrying tools (e.g. choppers and scrapers) and
soapstone vessel fragments, including finished incised rectangular lamp
fragments. The timbers showed no signs of historic modification (e.g.
nails or saw marks), but rather had a few large "open" chop
marks that were more characteristic of a stone implement, rather than the
thin edge of a steel axe. In addition, the orientation of smaller timbers
over larger ones at right angles suggests that the structure is relatively
undisturbed by post-depositional processes; and that the timbers were
probably bound together in this pattern with some lashing that has since
been lost to preservation.
Finally, a sample of this
structure was sent to Beta Analytic for radiocarbon analysis. An
uncalibrated result of 1610 ± 60 B.P. [3]
was returned on April 29, 1998. This has been calibrated to AD 430 at one
sigma (Stuiver & Reimer 1993). This age compares favorably to a
previous 14C result of 1220 ± 110 taken from a wood charcoal sample
retrieved well above this layer (42 cm below the surface) as reported by
Thomson (1986:200).
(v) Artifacts Collected:
A full range of artifacts are
identified from the 1100 plus artifacts collected during the 1997 field
season. These include: (1) quarrying tools made from a greenish colored
metamorphic sandstone such as: tabular scrapers, picks, chisels,
hammerstones, axes, adzes, and large bifacially worked choppers; (2)
non-quarrying tools including greenish-gray colored chert endblades, a
quartz microblade, a thumbnail scraper and a number of chert flakes; and
(3) a variety of soapstone vessels and vessel fragments ranging from 5-10
cm to 25-35 cm in diameter (see photos in Appendix).
PART 2 - PRELIMINARY SURVEY
OF BAIE VERTE PENINSULA
Although the soapstone
deposits at Fleur de Lys represent the largest and most extensively worked
Dorset quarry site known of its kind, there are surprisingly few Dorset
sites on the Baie Verte peninsula (e.g. Fleur de Lys 1, Fleur de Lys 3,
and Plat Bay Cove). As such, it is likely that some associated habitation
and/or workshop areas should be located within close proximity to this
site. While Thomson (1987) has reported evidence of heavily disturbed
Dorset occupations along the northern edge of Fleur de Lys Harbour, few
other sites have been attributed to the Dorset Palaeoeskimo on the Baie
Verte peninsula. As a consequence, it has previously been recommended that
further surveys be undertaken in this area (Thomson 1983). In 1997, a
brief reconnaissance program was initiated in the following areas:
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Figure 5. Surveyed
Outcrops in Fleur de Lys
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(i) Town of Fleur de Lys:
Three localities with visible
rock outcrops were cursorily examined on August 5, 1997 in the town of
Fleur de Lys (Figure 5). Area 1 is a small cliff-face located adjacent the
small pond at the top of Fleur de Lys Harbour. This area was littered with
recent debris, and there was evidence of recent burning. No pot scars or
any evidence of prehistoric use were detected.
Area 2 is the large
heavily-treed hill located about 500 metres northwest of the main road.
The slope of this hill was heavily treed, making climbing extremely
difficult. Some exposed rock were examined on the way to the top surfaces
(none were soapstone). No evidence of Dorset quarry activities, or any
other prehistoric occupation were found at these areas nor on the barren
top of this hill, which otherwise offered a commanding view of the harbour.
Area 3 is an outcrop located
immediately adjacent to a house on the south side of the main road and the
west side of the harbour. No evidence of prehistoric use was noted.
(ii) EaBa-1 [Locality 2]:
This locality (Nagle 1982) of
worked soapstone is situated just west of Quigley Road, off the main
highway (Figure 6). While a few removal scars have previously been
reported at the water's edge and under the water at high tide at this
locality, we believed that this area deserved another look. On August 19
we conducted a two hour walking survey of the hillside adjacent the known
worked outcrop, but failed to discover any new carvings.
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Figure 6. Plat Bay
Cove (EaBa-7)
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(iii) Plat Bay Cove (EaBa-7):
A local resident of Fleur de
Lys reported finding a possible archaeological site just south of
Partridge Point, in Plat Bay Cove (Figure 6). On August 7th we
investigated this site by boat and located a stone feature which consisted
of a number of boulders arranged roughly in a circular ring. During a
previous visit, a few of the boulders on the northern side of this feature
had been pulled back, exposing some flakes and ceramic material, but
causing little other damage.
We excavated a 50 x 70 cm test
pit in the area of the disturbance to a depth of about 40 cm. The top 30
cm consists of peat. This is underlain by a 4 to 5 cm thick 'black'
organic cultural layer. Beneath this are 5 to 6 cm of small pebbles, and a
mottled reddish-brown sandy-clay. The cultural material found within this
feature consisted of gray and beige coloured fine-grained chert and quartz
flakes; a core fragment; biface fragment; endblade fragment; a spall; and
two microblade fragments. These materials were recovered in proximity to a
burned area (possible hearth) which contained burnt fat and fire broken
rock. Eleven pieces of fire broken rock and a sample of burnt fat were
collected along with a total of 79 artifacts. Of these, seven historic
ceramic pieces were also recovered from this structure.
Based upon the fragmentary
artifactual remains from this test pit, the proximity to the shore, and
the availability of marine resources (most notably harp seal), it is
suspected that the cultural affiliation of this site is Dorset. Further
excavation should confirm this. While it is possible to speculate on the
relationship between Plat Bay Cove as a possible habitation site and the
Fleur de Lys soapstone quarry, this cannot be substantiated without
further investigation. The complete excavation of this feature is planned
for the summer of 1998.
(iv) Ford's Point:
On August 19 we investigated
and test-pitted a small peninsula of land in Fleur de Lys Harbour known as
Ford's Point (Figure 6). Three shovel tests were conducted within a six
metre radius of a few shallow depressions. All three had 10-14 cm of black
topsoil, containing naturally-occurring quartz cobbles (just below the
root level). Two modern "round" nails were found within this
layer but were not collected. The subsoil consisted of a greenish-gray
slate-like material. Bedrock was found at about 20 cm below the surface in
all three units. No prehistoric material was detected.
(v) Coachman's Cove:
While no archaeological sites
have been reported in this community, it would appear that this area may
have some potential for Dorset occupation, given the favorable
physiography of the area for habitation. While both the northern and
southern points on either side of Coachman's Harbour looked encouraging
from the topographic and aerial photographs, the northern coastline was
very rugged, steep and inaccessible by boat. However, the southern point
was accessible and on August 22 we conducted a three hour walking survey
of the southern peninsula (Figure 7).
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Figure 7.
Coachman's Cove (EaBa-7)
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We started our survey along the south
side of the road (just east of the wharf), and where the paved road ends.
Two vegetable gardens located adjacent the road (on the south side) were
examined, and a few ceramic fragments and a pipe stem fragment were
noticed, but not collected. A 50 x 50 cm test pit was excavated between
the two garden plots, at a location approximately nine metres north of the
ridge that overlooks Baie Verte. The first 20 cm of this excavation
contained ash and burnt wood. At 40 cm a greenish clay subsoil was
reached. No artifacts were noted.
We continued our survey
eastward along the "Cow Cove Trail" (which had been developed
and marked as a walking trail, although the signs have since fallen down).
We followed this trail to the eastern end of the peninsula, to a point
that overlooked French Island. At about half a kilometre along the trail,
we located a flat grassy meadow with a rocky beach which looked to have
had some historic occupation based on the amount of recent debris,
rectangular depressions and buried foundation walls. We excavated a single
test pit at the western end of this meadow which was void of cultural
material except a fragment of a "Wrestlemania IV" playing card
(which was not collected). Beneath about 25 cm of brown/black topsoil, an
orange colored soil layer was found and excavated to a depth of 45-50 cm.
This area appears heavily disturbed by historic occupation, but merits
further consideration and testing.
Finally, we viewed the
shoreline of French Island with binoculars, but failed to notice any
outwardly apparent signs of prehistoric occupation. In view of our lack of
time a more intensive survey of Coachman's Cove and French Island is
planned for 1998.
(vi) Pigeon Island:
On August 23 we conducted a
walking survey of Pigeon Island; Pardee Cove; Fleur de Lys Harbour Islands
and the southern shore. On an overcast but calm morning we set off by boat
to Pigeon Island. Pigeon Island is located about 3 km southwest of the
mouth of Fleur de Lys Harbour. Accessibility to the island was limited by
steep cliffs and impassable boulder beaches. Despite the limited access,
we found a place to safely land the boat on the southwestern end of the
island. We walked both the perimeter and the centre of the island to the
highest point on the eastern edge. This is a very rugged, thin-soiled and
sparsely vegetated island, consisting of mosses, ferns, scrub brush and
stunted trees. We noted numerous caves and rock crevices and cursorily
examined those which were easily accessible. We also noted numerous small
water "holes" (presumably trapped rainwater) in the rock along
the perimeter of the island. No cultural material was noted, nor was there
any evidence for use of this island.
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Figure 8. Pigeon
Island, Pardee Cove and Fleur de Lys Harbour
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(vii) Pardee Cove:
Upon completion of our survey
of Pigeon Island, we continued on to Pardee Cove (about 0.5 km south of
Pigeon Island) which contains a large (but soft) slate outcrop. This cove
has a very narrow gravel beach and has evidence of some historic use. No
signs of prehistoric use were evident based upon a half hour foot
reconnaissance of this area.
(viii) Fleur de Lys Harbour:
After leaving Pardee Cove, we
headed back into Fleur de Lys to investigate the small islands in the
harbour. The smaller of the two islands (EaBa-3), reported by Thomson
(1986) as a Dorset temporary camp was not visited. The larger of the two
islands was cursorily examined, and much recent debris and historic
structural remains were noted. No collections were made.
We briefly landed on the
southern shore of the Fleur de Lys Harbour to inspect the
"grassy" point located approximately 100 m east of EaBa-2
(historic settlement) which was the location of an overgrown garden. An
informant mentioned that some coins from the 1800s were found when the
garden was used. Unfortunately, this area was overgrown (about waist-high)
at this late time of the year, which inhibited our examination during our
very brief visit. Further testing of these areas is planned for the summer
of 1998.
(ix) Miscellaneous Finds:
One informant from Fleur de
Lys brought to our attention a small chert flared thumbnail scraper which
he found beneath a fallen stump adjacent a house located directly across
the road (south) of (EaBa-1) Locality 1. Stylistically, the large flared
"ears" indicates that this specimen may be Groswater. No
investigation of this possible site has yet been made.
PART 3 - SUMMARY
CONCLUSIONS
The initial field season of
the Fleur de Lys Archaeology Project was most interesting from a number of
perspectives. First, the excavations at Locality 1 yielded surprising
preservation in the form of a waterlogged wood structure which may have
been a scaffolding, ladder or some kind of retaining wall for the
acquisition of soapstone from the quarry face. The recovery of this
feature in the summer of 1998 will undoubtedly add to our understanding of
the nature of the quarrying activities and the use of wood for
construction at Fleur de Lys. Second, the discovery of a single habitation
structure at Plat Bay Cove may represent the first of a number of Dorset
dwellings at this location. In addition to the excavation of this
structure, further testing of this area is planned. Third, the discovery
of previously unknown preforms and preform removal scars in several loci
finally indicate the full extent of the exposed quarry face.
Notes:
[1]
This summary originally appeared in the Spring 1998 Canadian
Archaeological Association Bulletin.
[2]
Below the topsoil, the color of the soil in proximity to the quarry face
is reddish-brown. This coloration is produced from the oxidization of the
iron in the soapstone.
[3]
Radiocarbon years before present (B.P.) where "present" = AD
1950.
References
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Nagle, C.
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1982
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"1981 Field
Investigations at the Fleur de Lys Soapstone Quarry, Baie Verte,
Newfoundland." In, Archaeology in Newfoundland and
Labrador 1981, eds. J.S. Thomson & C. Thomson. Annual
Report No.2, Newfoundland Museum, Historic Resources Division,
Department of Recreation and Youth, Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador, pp. 102-129.
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Stuiver, M. & P.J.
Reimer
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1993
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"University of
Washington Quaternary Isotope Lab Radiocarbon Calibration Program
Rev. 3.0." Radiocarbon, 35, pp. 215-230.
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Thomson, C.
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1983
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"Proposal for the
Management of the Dorset Soapstone Quarry at Fleur de Lys,
Northern Baie Verte Peninsula, Newfoundland." Unpublished
Report prepared for Historic Resources Division, Department of
Recreation and Youth, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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1984
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"A Summary of
Four Contract Archaeology Projects in Newfoundland and
Labrador." In, Archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador
1983, eds. J.S. Thomson & C. Thomson. Annual Report No.4,
Newfoundland Museum, Historic Resources Division, Department of
Recreation and Youth, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, pp.
82-97.
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1986
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"Investigations
on the Baie Verte Peninsula, Newfoundland." In, Archaeology
in Newfoundland and Labrador 1985, eds. J.S. Thomson & C.
Thomson. Annual Report No.6, Newfoundland Museum, Historic
Resources Division, Department of Recreation and Youth, Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador, pp. 196-217.
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1987
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"Maritime Archaic
and Middle Dorset Occupations at Fleur de Lys: Preliminary Results
of 1986 Investigations on the Baie Verte Peninsula." In, Archaeology
in Newfoundland and Labrador 1986, eds. J.S. Thomson & C.
Thomson. Annual Report No.7, Newfoundland Museum, Historic
Resources Division, Department of Recreation and Youth, Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador, pp. 250-259.
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Appendix:
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Quarrying Tools
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Tabular Scrapers
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Hammerstones
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Non-Quarrying Tools
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Endblades
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Top Row (l-r) scraper, endscaper, microblade Bottom Row (l-r)
burin?, flake, biface
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Soapstone Vessels
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Large Soapstone
Vessel Fragments
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Small Unfinished
Soapstone Vessels
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