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Archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador 1997
Edited by K. Nelmes

Stage 1 Historic Resources Overview Assessment of the Silver Mountain Power Development, Upper Humber River, Newfoundland   
Sylvie LeBlanc and James A. Tuck 

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

This study followed the Guidelines for Stage 1 Historic Resources Overview Assessments issued by the Culture and Heritage Division, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In so doing, published and unpublished reports of the study area and adjacent areas were consulted, as were the site files maintained on 1:50,000 scale maps by the Culture and Heritage Division. No archaeological sites are reported from the study area, and previous studies in interior areas of the Northern Peninsula likewise failed to reveal any evidence of aboriginal occupation. Coastal areas both in White Bay and on the west coast of the Northern Peninsula are rich in archaeological remains of virtually all of the aboriginal groups known to have occupied the Island of Newfoundland. From our research and that of others, the aboriginal use of interior regions appears problematic; at best such utilization was slight.

An interview was conducted with an informant from Cormack, Newfoundland. This man is perhaps uniquely qualified to offer an opinion on aboriginal occupation in the Silver Mountain area. He has a long standing interest in prehistory and archaeology and has, in fact, discovered and reported a number of archaeological sites in the general vicinity of Deer Lake. He is also an avid hunter and fisherman and has made an impressive study of wildlife in the area, including particularly the Silver Mountain area. Although he reported that he had never seen any indication of archaeological remains in the vicinity of the study area, his comments on wildlife movements, particularly caribou and salmon, were of some considerable interest.

A preliminary field reconnaissance was conducted in the areas designated for development including the Cut-off Dam, Main Dam, Spillway, Intake, and Freeboard Dyke. The Spillway, Cut-off Dam and Freeboard Dyke areas have all been logged. Skidder tracks and other ground disturbance afforded large areas in which the disturbed ground could be inspected without extensive testing. Both sides of the Humber River at the location of the main dam were test-pitted. Several promising areas in this area (and just outside of the main dam area) were thoroughly test-pitted, but no trace of human activity was found.

While the results of this survey and of previous surveys in more or less adjacent areas and similar areas of the Northern Peninsula revealed no trace of Native occupation, it might be prudent to survey at least selected areas of the proposed flooded zone prior to flooding. Other than this general recommendation, no further historic resources impact assessment is recommended.

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

The background research was conducted during the week of June 21-27, 1997. The informant interview was conducted on June 28, 1997. Field reconnaissance took place between June 27 and June 29, 1997.
The organizational format of this report follows that suggested by the Culture and Heritage Division, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

STUDY AREA

The study area is an interior area located on the Upper Humber River on the Great Northern Peninsula, between Birchy Basin on the east and Gros Morne National Park on the west. Although previous surveys of interior areas of the Northern Peninsula have produced meagre, or entirely negative, results, the presence of a major watercourse in this area may have made it somewhat more attractive to aboriginal peoples.

The area is one of considerable relief containing steep hillsides, extensive areas of bog and the banks of the Humber River itself. The area was clearly once supported by a forest cover of birch, spruce, fir and other lesser species. Shrubs, grasses and other typical bog plant species are found in wet areas. Much of the area has recently been logged, particularly the target areas away from the river. The banks of the Humber River, however, remain essentially untouched and provide locations where aboriginal peoples could have camped had they lived in, or travelled through the study area.

Caribou are common in the area and our key informant (an outfitter and hunter) reports large numbers of animals passing through the area on their annual migrations. A more complete study of these and other faunal resources is now in progress by AGRA Earth and Environmental.

The presence of caribou may have been an attraction for aboriginal people, but the distance from known "base camps" and other prehistoric living sites, most of which are coastal-oriented clearly reduces the possibility of intensive aboriginal use of the area. During their annual migrations, the caribou become much more easily accessible in locations closer to the base camps of hunter-gatherers.

Of the target areas, three (Intake, Cut-off Dam and Freeboard Dyke) are a kilometre or more removed from the river course. They are also located on topography not traditionally attractive to aboriginal peoples (i.e. hillsides or boggy areas).

Given the distances involved, and the fact that all resources found in the study area are available in other areas nearer to known concentrations of prehistoric peoples, it is probably unlikely that the study area was ever exploited in a significant way by aboriginal hunters. Travel through the area, using the Humber River, is a much more likely possibility, but the few likely areas tested intensively in, and immediately outside of, the target areas, revealed no trace of human occupation.

METHODOLOGY

Documentary Search:

The documentary search included: (1) a check of extant records including the Newfoundland and Labrador Archaeological Site Inventory and other pertinent records and inventory files; (2) a review and summarization of all previous archaeological investigations or surveys in the study area and in immediately adjacent areas; and (3) a review of relevant information from published and unpublished regional archaeological sources.

Archaeological Site Record Forms and Site Reports maintained by the office of the Resource Archaeologist, Culture and Heritage Division, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation were used to locate reported archaeological sites and to obtain information about cultural affiliation, size and the condition of existing sites. Regional maps were consulted to obtain information about areas where surveys have been conducted.

Informant Interview:

Several hours were spent with our key informant of Cormack, Newfoundland. He is an outfitter who has in the past reported several archaeological sites in the Deer Lake area. He is, therefore, able to recognize archaeological remains and is familiar with the terrain where archaeological sites are likely to be located. He is also very knowledgeable about faunal resources, particularly caribou. He was asked, or volunteered information, about both the lack of archaeological sites in the study area and the present migration routes of caribou and salmon that may have been a factor in aboriginal occupation of the area.

Field Reconnaissance:

Four areas were targeted for intensive survey: (1) Spillway; (2) Main Dam; (3) Cut-off Dam; and (4) Freeboard Dyke. Each of the areas was surveyed on foot and, where practical, test pits were dug to sterile subsoil. In many areas, extensive disturbance by logging activities resulted in exposure of complete soil profiles and large horizontal areas that could be inspected without test-pitting. All of these areas were inspected closely for signs of aboriginal or other use or occupation. The area around the Main Dam, on both banks of the Humber River, received special attention since it is clearly the area most likely to have been used by aboriginal people. Because of the promising nature of the terrain at the Main Dam site, survey and testing were extended outside the precise boundaries of the study area.

RESULTS

Documentary Search:

The search of site files and other relevant documents revealed no reported sites in the target areas, nor in the entire Silver Mountain study area. A summary of archaeological findings in adjacent areas follows:

Adies Pond (12H/6):

In his Report of a Journey across the Island of Newfoundland, Robinson (1877:282) mentions an historic Indian camp at the southwest extremity of Adies Lake. The site was occupied by a trapper called Andrew Joe, probably a Micmac, who had pitched his wigwam there and left beaver pelts to dry. This is the site nearest to the actual area of the Silver Mountain project.

Deer Lake and Upper Humber Valley:

Extensive survey in the Deer Lake and Upper Humber River area (Carignan 1975; Reader 1993, 1994, 1995) located a number of archaeological sites affiliated with Maritime Archaic Indian and Recent Indian.

In the immediate vicinity of Deer Lake five sites containing Recent Indian and Maritime Archaic Indian material are reported: DgBj-3 (Maritime Archaic, Reader 1995); DgBj-1 and 2 (cultural affiliations unknown); DhBi-1 (Maritime Archaic, visited by Carignan); DhBi-6 Deer Lake Beach site (Recent Indian, 1230±70 BP and 1220±60 BP, see Reader 1996).

Upper Humber Area

Three sites along the Upper Humber River are reported. Of these, two contain Maritime Archaic material and the other Dorset material: DhBi-3, Upper Humber 1, (Dorset site); DhBi-4, Upper Humber 2 (Maritime Archaic); and DhBi-5, Upper Humber 3 (Maritime Archaic).

Junction Brook

A local resident also reported a chisel-like artifact made of slate along Junction Brook (DhBh-1). Another find is reported near the narrows at the northwest end of Grand Lake (DhEi-2).

Old Man's Pond

A survey of Old Man's Pond, between Deer Lake and the Bay of Islands, did not produce any evidence of cultural remains (Renouf 1991; Schwarz 1992).

West Coast:

Parsons Pond

DlBj-1, Parsons Pond 2 (unknown cultural affiliation; Thomson 1987).

Cow Head Area

Four sites are reported from the Cow Head area. They have produced evidence of Maritime Archaic, Palaeo-Eskimo (pre-Dorset, Shallow Bay complex, Groswater and Dorset cultures) and Recent Indian (Cow Head complex and Beaches complex) occupations. Sites include: DlBk-1, Cow Head site (Maritime Archaic, Pre-Dorset, Shallow Bay complex, Cow Head complex, Tuck 1973); DlBk-2, Cow Head Point (Recent Indian site, Tuck 1973); DlBk-3, Factory Cove site (Groswater manufacturing site, Auger 1985; LeBlanc 1996); DlBk-4, Cow Head Fish Plant (Recent Indian site, Tuck 1973).

St. Paul's Inlet

Three sites are reported from St. Paul's Inlet. They are: DlBk-5, St. Paul's Bay-1 (Recent Indian, Penney 1989); DlBk-6, St. Paul's Bay-2 (Recent Indian or Palaeo-Eskimo); DlBk-7, Eastern Arm-1 (unknown cultural affiliation).

Broom Point

DlBl-1, Broom Point-1 (Palaeo-Eskimo, Groswater and Dorset, Krol 1987); DkBl-1, unnamed (unknown prehistoric occupation and historic European, Tuck 1973).

Bonne Bay

DjBl-1, Paynes Head (south of Rocky Harbour, small Dorset campsite, Tuck 1973); DjBl-2, Norris Point (large site with Groswater and possible Maritime Archaic component, Bishop 1974; Harp 1964; Tuck 1973); DjBl-3, Bear Cove (nineteenth or early twentieth century habitation, Tuck 1973:4); Dlbj-5, Deckers Cove (also called Norris Point 2, small Dorset Eskimo site, Harp 1949, 1964; Tuck 1973); DjBl-6, Salmon Point (unknown cultural affiliation, possibly Dorset Eskimo, Tuck 1973); DjBl-7: Woody Point (also called Lighthouse Point, Dorset lamp and Maritime Archaic spearpoint, Wintemberg 1939; Harp 1949; Tuck 1973). DiBk-1, Payne's Cove (late nineteenth century European site, Tuck 1973).

Birchy Lake

Thomson (1989) reported two sites, DhBe-1 and DiBe-1, on the south shore of Birchy Lake. The former contained no diagnostic material and the latter a single unspecified artifact identified as Maritime Archaic. A "very recent hearth" was also located by Thomson (1989) on the summit of Mt. Sykes.

Main River:

A survey conducted along the Main River on the east coast of the Northern Peninsula produced no evidence of aboriginal remains.

White Bay:

Fifteen sites are reported from White Bay, all in coastal locations. They include: DiBe-1, Jackson's Arm-1 (Dorset Eskimo, Penney 1980); DkBe-1, Pittman site (Dorset Eskimo, Groswater and Maritime Archaic, Linnamae 1975); DkBe-2, Sop's Island (Dorset, Groswater(?) and Maritime Archaic, Linnamae 1975); DkBf-3, Budden Garden site (Maritime Archaic); DkBd-1, Westport-1 (Groswater Palaeo-Eskimo, site record form); DkBd-3 Wiseman's Cove (Maritime Archaic); DkBf-2, Pollard's Point-1 (Dorset); DkBf-4, Pollard's Point-2 (Maritime Archaic; DjBf-1, Gold Cove-1 (Maritime Archaic, Harp 1964); DjBf-2, Gold Cove-2 (Maritime Archaic, Harp 1964); DjBf-3, Brown's Cove barrens (unknown, five stone hunting blinds); DjBe-1, Brown's Cove (Maritime Archaic, Harp 1964); DkBd-2, Purbeck's Cove-1 (Dorset); DkBe-3, Granby Island-1 (Middle Dorset); DkBe-4, Pumbly Cove burial (Dorset, Anderson and Tuck 1974).

Lunch Point

A local resident found a hearth feature and cache of Maritime Archaic Indian lithic artifacts on the south side of the peninsula.

INFORMANT INTERVIEW

Several hours were spent with our informant discussing archaeological sites in the general vicinity of Deer Lake and the Silver Mountain study area in particular. As mentioned above, he is familiar with archaeological sites and artifacts as well as the study area where he guides and hunts frequently.

Although he reports numbers of caribou in the area, which might have made it attractive to aboriginal hunters, neither he nor any of his companions has recognized any trace of aboriginal occupation.

PRELIMINARY FIELD RECONNAISSANCE

A preliminary field reconnaissance was conducted in all five areas targeted in this project. A description of the fieldwork and results thereof follows.

Main Dam:

The area of the Main Dam, on both the east and west banks of the Upper Humber, was clearly the most promising location at which to have found archaeological remains. The areas away from the river were walked and inspected for traces of occupation. Much of the area is disturbed by logging, which afforded ample exposures that would have revealed artifacts or features. Unlogged areas are steep hillsides which were not attractive to Native people. Both banks were walked and the river-cut edges of the banks inspected for traces of aboriginal remains. Test pits were likewise dug on both banks. In neither case was any trace of human occupation or utilization discovered.

These negative results were particularly disappointing, for several locations possess the natural characteristics that appear to have been attractive to Native peoples. This is especially true of two small points of land, apparently slightly outside the target area, on the east bank of the Humber near the outflow of the pond or steady where the Main Dam is to be constructed. These areas were dry and well-drained, and the surface was covered with grass and other herbaceous vegetation. These two areas were tested extensively. The stratigraphy consisted of a thin humus, a layer of alluvial sand up to 25-30 cm thick and underlying subsoil. Somewhat to our surprise, no trace of any human occupation was found at either of these promising areas.

Spillway:

The area of the Spillway was walked during the course of the survey. Despite the fact that much of the ground is bog and clearly would not have been suitable for human habitation, test pits were dug at irregular intervals, in relatively level and dry areas that might have been suitable for campsites during the winter months when the ground was frozen.

No trace of any occupation was found.

Intake:

The small area designated for the intake was walked and the much-disturbed surface inspected for traces of human occupation. No trace was found.

Cut-off Dam:

The area of the Cut-off Dam consists of a low swampy swale flanked on both sides by relatively steep hillsides. The area is some distance from the Humber River and there are no obvious characteristics that might have attracted Native people. The hillsides have been heavily disturbed by logging, resulting in extensive exposures that could be inspected for traces of human occupation. The hilltops, that might have served as lookouts for caribou hunters were devoid of any evidence of utilization, except by recent logging companies. The low swale has not been logged so that area was test-pitted on the chance that winter camps might have been built there. No trace of occupation was found.

Freeboard Dyke:

The Freeboard Dyke area consists of uplands with considerable relief and are some distance removed from the Humber. As in most other target areas, the ground surface has been extensively disturbed to the subsoil by logging activities, including the construction of roads. The area was surveyed by inspecting these areas, but no trace of occupation was found.

EVALUATION AND DISCUSSION

The results of this study indicate that the target areas surveyed are not of high potential for the discovery of aboriginal remains. The background research revealed no trace of aboriginal remains in adjacent, or near-adjacent, areas except for sites around Deer Lake, the major water body in the region. Remains of aboriginal peoples––Maritime Archaic, Early Palaeo-Eskimo, Dorset Eskimo and Recent Indian––abound in coastal areas on both the east and west sides of the Northern Peninsula. Present available evidence suggests that Native groups had little interest in what would have been long distance travel to interior locations, despite the seasonal presence of attractive resources such as caribou. A likely explanation for this apparent lack of interest in the interior is that the same resources that were available in the interior were also available in coastal areas much closer to base camps and the remainder of the Native peoples' seasonal rounds.

Our field reconnaissance confirms this low potential for the discovery of sites in the target areas, despite the fact that the Humber River is a major river and that at least two attractive camping or settlement locations were discovered and intensively test-pitted.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our background research, informant discussion and preliminary field reconnaissance, we recommend no further work in the five target areas. Although we are extremely confident in the results of this research, we must issue the usual caution that the results of no archaeological survey can be one hundred percent certain.

Finally, despite the negative results of this research, we would recommend that the river banks of the entire area to be flooded be surveyed prior to their inundation. We discovered two areas that possess characteristics attractive to Native peoples elsewhere; others doubtless exist along the long stretch of the river to be flooded. Some may have been used as campsites during travel along the river.

REFERENCES CITED