|
Archaeology in Newfoundland and
Labrador 1997
Edited by K. Nelmes
Dildo Island 1997
Field Season
Sylvie LeBlanc
The Dildo Island archaeological project
is an ongoing project initiated in 1995, in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. To
this day, three archaeological campaigns have been conducted on Dildo
Island. Survey work conducted in the fall of 1995 (Gilbert 1996) yielded
evidence of an aboriginal occupation of the island by Recent Indian,
Beothuk and Dorset people. In the historic period the island was visited
by John Guy (1612) and a cod hatchery was in operation in the late 1800s.
Two years of excavation in the summers of 1996 and 1997 revealed portions
of two dwellings and thousands of artifacts belonging to the Middle Dorset
culture (1900 to 1100 B.P.). The Dorset material uncovered on Dildo Island
is similar to other material from elsewhere in the Trinity Bay area (Evans
1993, Robbins 1985) but differs significantly from any other Dorset
material from Newfoundland and Labrador and from other parts of Arctic
Canada. It is now clear that we can refer to a distinct Trinity Bay Dorset
complex.
This paper presents a summary
of the archaeological activities of the 1997 field season.
Our 1997 field season specific
goals were:
-
To completely uncover one
of the Dorset dwellings (House 2) that was partially excavated in the
previous field season
-
To obtain charcoal samples
for radiocarbon dating
-
To work with community
members on the reproduction of a Dorset dwelling for the benefit of
tourism.
EXCAVATION OF HOUSE 2
In excavating House 2 our hope
was to obtain a very tightly associated collection of data from a single
dwelling in order to refine the definition of the Trinity Bay Dorset
complex. Our research design focused more specifically on: (1) the
recovery of a larger sample of artifacts; (2) dwelling architecture and
intra-site spatial organization; and (3) the collection of radiocarbon
samples to date the occupation.
Our main objective for the
1997 field season was to complete the excavation of House 2, which had
been partially uncovered in 1996. This goal was unfortunately not
achieved. The unsuspected and unusual large size of the dwelling––so
far 6 metres of a mid-passage pavement have been uncovered––did not
allow for its complete recovery.
Although the definite shape
and length of the dwelling are not yet possible to determine, we were able
to uncover the western and eastern limits of the house. The eastern limit
or the eastern wall of the house is clearly marked by a depression dug
into the hillside. On the other hand, the western limit of the house does
not exhibit any depression; instead it would seem that, on that side, the
dwelling structure might have been held down by large rocks. Thus, it
would appear that House 2 cannot entirely be defined as a
semi-subterranean dwelling but represents rather a composite type of
dwelling mixing semi-subterranean and tent ring architectural traits.
Partial excavation of House 2
has also allowed for the identification of the cooking area of the
dwelling. On the east side of the mid-passage pavement, a feature (2 m x
75 cm) consisting of a deposit of sand and small pebbles is literally
covered with fat. Associated with this feature is a lamp stand; the fat
stain suggests a lamp that could have been about 25 cm in length. Another
lamp stand found in the southern portion of the house also exhibits a fat
stain of roughly the same dimension.
House 2 did not produce any
fire-cracked rocks and evidently oil, more than likely seal oil, must have
been the only combustible used for heat and light. This is interesting and
marks a clear contrast with House 1 (partially excavated in 1996), in
which fire-cracked rocks were numerous and evidence of fat almost
completely absent.
Further description of
dwelling architecture will be provided when the excavation of House 2 is
completed.
As yet, House 2 has yielded
over two thousand Dorset artifacts. Typical of the Dildo Island
site––and of the Trinity Bay Dorset complex––are elongated
un-notched, ground and finely serrated harpoon endblades, small quartz
crystal scrapers, and small quartz crystal microblades. The 1997 field
season was interesting as it yielded a whole range of yet unknown Dorset
artifacts including long flensing knives, chisel-like tools, a wide
variety of burin-like tools, some unusual long and narrow bifaces, and
even an arrowhead, which has no precedent in Dorset inventories. Soapstone
lamp or bowl fragments and lamp stands were also found.
RADIOCARBON DATES
Seven charcoal samples
were sent for radiocarbon dating. Results for only six samples have been
returned. The seventh sample needed AMS treatment and we are expecting the
result shortly. Except for the 2200 ± 90 date, which would be more
consistent in an Early palaeoeskimo context [1],
the rest of the dates place the site well within the Middle Dorset time
range known for the island of Newfoundland (1900 to 100 B.P.).
|
House 1
|
|
2200 ± 90 B.P.
|
(Beta 116904)
|
(340 - 160 B.C.)
|
|
1280 ± 60 B.P.
|
(Beta 116905)
|
(610 - 730 A.D.)
|
|
House 2
|
|
1410 ± 70 B.P.
|
(Beta 116906)
|
(470 - 610 A.D.)
|
|
1720 ± 60 B.P.
|
(Beta 116907)
|
(170 - 290 A.D.)
|
|
1640 ± 70 B.P.
|
(Beta 116908)
|
(240 - 380 A.D.)
|
|
1430 ± 50 B.P.
|
(Beta 116909)
|
(470 - 570 A.D.)
|
REPRODUCTION OF DORSET DWELLING
Members of the Dildo
Community, in collaboration with the archaeological team, have
successfully reconstructed a Dorset dwelling on the parking lot of the
local interpretation centre. This and the exhibit presented in the
interpretation centre have not only contributed to the local tourism
industry but have also increased local residents' awareness of their own
heritage. This, I regard as an important benefit resulting from the Dildo
Island project.
In the coming field season our
hope is to complete the excavation of House 2.
NOTE:
[1] This sample was obtained from a test pit near House
1. It is not yet determined if this sample can be clearly associated with
the House. Further excavation is needed in this area to fully understand
the context related to this date.
|
