5.1 INDIVIDUAL UNIT DESCRIPTIONS AND PROFILES

Unit 312/398

This unit had been previously excavated by Laurentian University in 1996 . they discovered a squared timber and covered it with plastic. This timber had only been partially excavated. It was decided to remove the log for sampling and to excavate beneath it. Upon removal of the soil cover, a European pipe was found in the west wall. It was further realized that there was a 10cm area in the north and east walls that had not previously excavated. It was within this area that most of the artifacts were being recovered.

Wet screening was utilized for this unit, which produced a large portion of the beads in the 1997 assemblage. This led to further wet-screen testing in the remainder of the squares. Excavation of the timber ( intact in one piece) was successful and measures were taken for its preservation.

In the small portion previously unexcavated (the north and east walls), as well as beneath the timber, this square unearthed an abundance of artifacts. European artifacts included one gunflint, square nails, and glass trade beads. Among the aboriginal artifacts were red ochre nodules, lithic flakes, as well as over 50 pottery sherds.

Unit 311/398

This unit was not fully excavated due to a large maple tree in the south half of the square. In order to not disturb the root system, only approximately 1/3 of a square metre was excavated. This unit was excavated to determine continuation of the timber. As expected, the tree is younger than the timber and may have shifted the orientation of the timber. Unearthing the timber was significant in that it showed the continuity of the timber from Laurentian University's 1996 excavations. It should be noted here, however, that the timber structural elements uncovered in 1997 had undergone extensive deterioration and analysis was difficult. Nonetheless, the timber(s) from unit 311/398 proved useful for the following observations:

  1. There were, in fact, two timbers aligned vertically. Compression is evident, in that earth pressures may have flattened the timbers so that each timber's width is greater than each timber's height.


  2. The two timbers can be distinguished by slight overlapping, and when viewed vertically, the top surface of the bottom edge of the second timber is visible. Upon further examination, it appears probable that the grain of each timber is oriented in different directions.


  3. The timbers, although highly deteriorated appear to be square cut and may have formed part of the original La Ronde post structure.


  4. The sod layer in this unit reached the 10cm depth, with mottling down to 20cm. The cultural layer then proceeded until the 35cm mark, giving way to sterile beach sand. Pertinent timber associated artifacts included burnt bone, and square-cut nails. Small white beads were recovered from the 25-30cm level, as well as a pottery sherd.

Unit 309/398

This unit was excavated to determine if the timber was in fact extending beyond the tree located in unit 311/398. Although this was not the case, a squared vertical timber (roughly the shape of a 2x4) was located in the NW quadrant at the 5-18cm depth, and was determined to be most likely of recent origin. The amount of daub retrieved from this square at the 5-15cm level amounted to about 2 litres in volume. The high amounts of daub in this area is supported by ASI's (1996:116) excavation of 4 litres from unit 309/398. Feature 1, a hearth (or fire-pit), was located in the southeast quadrant. Large amounts of burnt mammalian bone were recovered from this pit, as well as a gunflint and European ceramics. The hearth feature dips at a 45 degree angle down and to the east into unit 309/399; and may also be located in units 308/399, and 308/398 (excavated by ASI, 1995). It should be noted here that this feature was recognized by ASI and designated as feature 12 (please refer to figure 30, ASI 1996:117). This was only partially excavated, and unexcavated areas were covered with wire mesh. Since the contents of this same hearth were excavated from unit 309/398, it is suggested the unexcavated portions be recovered for further analysis. It is most likely that this area may contain the remaining fragments of European ceramics, and a large amount of mammal bones which would add to faunal research.

The stratigraphy of this unit included sod and mottled subsoil to 25cm in depth. Below this level, mottled dark organic and sterile soil predominated. However as previously indicated, the southeast quadrant contained a dark black organic layer extending to 40cm. Beyond this, an even darker, ash-type layer (where large amounts of small calcined bone were revealed) extended to 47 cm. Finally, in the immediate SE corner (extending approximately 8-10cm from the southeast gridline), this feature dipped down to a depth of approximately 55cm into the southeast border.

Unit 300/401

This unit was investigated to determine the nature of the eastern beach ridge. Previous excavations by Settlement Surveys (1992) determined artifact potential due to changing water levels. Located approximately 7 metres west of the eastern beach ridge, this unit lies just on the upper most contour. This unit revealed a large amount of waterworn material throughout the 0-25 cm level. This indicates a previous "swash" zone, where heavy materials are deposited and lighter sediments eroded. Consequently a large number of heavily waterworn rocks, ranging from pebble to cobble size were located within this layer. Stratigraphy was predominantly mottled due to fluvial processes. Artifacts revealed were waterworn (e.g. kaolin pipes). Other artifacts of significance indicate a historical component, glass (green w/air bubbles, a small mirror, and window pane), 2 musket balls, and glass beads. The Aboriginal component consisted solely of various pottery sherds, with one decorated piece.

SUMMARY OF LaVASE ISLAND UNITS

Since ASI's 1995 excavations, the importance and relevance of the Island site has become quite significant. Also, the high potential for artifact retrieval has been shown (from both 1995 and 1996 excavations) in each individual unit excavated. Therefore, the 1997 research plan systematically chose four individual units that would recover further information regarding the LaRonde Post settlement.

Significant artifacts recovered in 1997 included glass beads, gunflints, metal nails, daub, kaolin and white ball clay pipes, faunal remains, European ceramics, and of course the continuation of the squared timbers.

The Native artifacts were significant as was the case with previous work. Several pieces of pottery, (mostly body sherds), a few rim sherds with decoration, and chert flakes were recovered.

The 1997 excavation has been helpful in adding information to the location of the La Ronde Post. It is also suggested here, that previous units that were left partially excavated by ASI, in 1996 be completed during future excavations.

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