6.1 ABORIGINAL ARTIFACTS (CONTINUED)

6.1.3 Ceramics

Jonathan Ferguson

During the 1992 and 1997 field seasons, 233 Native ceramic sherds were unearthed at the LaVase Island Site (CbGu-5). While the majority (218) of these are plain non-rim sherds, the remaining 15 are decorated or mend with decorated sherds. Among these specimens, 10 distinct vessels have been identified.

It should here be noted that all identified pottery types belong to the Ontario Iroquoian ceramic tradition, as was also the case at the La Vase North Bank Site. For a discussion of the occurrence of Iroquoian pottery types in Algonkian contexts and the appropriateness of this typology for the Nipissing culture, the reader is referred to the introduction of the CbGu-1 Native ceramic section. Likewise, an explanation of the vessel description template used below can be found at the beginning of the vessels section for the La Vase North Bank Site.

VESSELS Vessel 1 (east beach; Cat No. 5-92-43) Sherd Frequency: 1 Width (mm): >4 (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: opposed incised lines (l: >18 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 5 mm; and l: >5 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 3 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3

5-92-43 CbGu-5 Vessel 1

It is uncertain from which part of the vessel this sherd might have come. The two series of bands of lines meet at approximately a 60 angle, with the shorter (in terms of surviving length) series having been incised after the longer one. The fabric is a distinct buff colour, with mica-like inclusions. Because of the common occurrence of opposed incised lines, this vessel cannot be typed.

Vessel 2 (east beach; Cat No. 5-92-79)

Sherd Frequency: 1 Rim Form: collared Lip Form: flat Angle of Lip to Interior: acute Lip Width (mm): 6 Rim Orientation: outflaring Exterior Profile: straight/concave Collar Height (mm): 16 Collar Base Shape: angular Collar Base Width (mm): >7 (exfoliated)

5-92-79 CbGu-5 Vessel 2

Collar Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: 22 mm extrapolated; w: 2 mm; sd: 3 mm)

Lip Motif & Technique: linear stamped obliques (l: 5 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 3 mm)

Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3

Type: Sidey Notched

The interior surface of this sherd has completely exfoliated, with the exception of a tiny portion along the edge of the lip. The collar of Vessel 2 is crossed by oblique incised lines which extend up and to the right. Slight irregularities in depth and straightness support the interpretation that these lines are incised rather than stamped. The length given above for these obliques is extrapolated to the top and bottom of the collar, following the angle of the lines. The linear stamped obliques on the lip extend off the exterior edge, but truncate along the interior side. This design pattern is typical of the Sidey Notched pottery type, as encountered at the Seed Site (cf. Wright 1966: Plate 18-1) and the Sidey-Mackay type site (cf. MacNeish 1952: Plate 9-5 to 9-8). Sidey Notched decoration was a product of the developed Huron-Petun ceramic tradition, being recovered from both prehistoric and historic contexts (about 1350 to 1687), primarily within Huronia (MacNeish 1952: 33, Figure 22).

Vessel 3 (east beach; Cat No. 5-92-105)

Sherd Frequency: 1 Rim Form: collared Rim Orientation: outflaring Exterior Profile: straight/concave Collar Height (mm): >10 Collar Base Shape: angular Collar Base Width (mm): >7 (exfoliated) Collar Motif & Technique: horizontal incised lines

5-92-105 CbGu-5 Vessel 3

(l: >11 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 4 mm)

Neck Motif & Technique: plain

Maximum Temper Size (mm): 1

Type: Ontario Horizontal (?)

Vessel 3 is represented by one sherd, which includes part of the lower collar and upper neck. The fabric of this sherd appears to have been highly oxidized, the exterior surface being a light brick colour. The collar includes three horizontal lines, while the small surviving portion of the neck is plain. Fine parallel striations in the bed of these lines show that they were produced by incision. Despite such limited information, this vessel can be tentatively identified as belonging to the Ontario Horizontal type. While one of its successors, Warminster Horizontal, is very similar, the latter is more often associated with obliques below the horizontals and concave collar exteriors. These characteristics are absent on sherd 5-92-105, which finds an almost exact parallel, for both its profile and decoration, in an Ontario Horizontal sherd from the Middleport Site. The Ontario Horizontal pottery type is found in peninsular Ontario as well as the states of New York and Pennsylvania; in Ontario, this correlates with the Huron, Neutral and Erie traditions. This decoration type can be dated to the earlier part of these cultures, but lingers on as a minority style, ranging approximately from 1350 to 1687 (MacNeish 1952: 11, 16, 34-35, Figure 22, cf. Plate 3-4).

Vessel 4 (311/398 L: 6 D: 29 cm; Cat No. 97-339)

Sherd Frequency: 2 Lip Form: flat Angle of Lip to Interior: right Lip Width (mm): 7 Rim Orientation: outflaring Interior Profile: concave Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: opposed horizontal

97-339 CbGu-5 Vessel 4

(l: >7 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 4 mm) and vertical (l: >15 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 5 mm) incised lines

Interior Motif & Technique: plain

Lip Motif & Technique: lunate punctate or fingernail imprint (l: 6 mm)

Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3

Interior Carbon Encrustation: present

Type: Copeland Incised (?)

Two exfoliated sherds mend to form the interior and exterior surfaces of a portion of the rim of Vessel 4. The interior surface is plain, but is thinly coated with carbon. It seems likely that some, if not all, of the six plain body sherds also catalogued as 97-339 also belong to Vessel 4. In particular, three mending body sherds share the same fabric colour, temper, width (between 6 and 7 mm) and carbon encrustation as the rim sherds.

The exterior of the two mending decorated sherds includes two vertical lines and one side of another. Two horizontal lines, found on the left side of the sherd, were made after the verticals, as shown by a small amount of overlapping. Slight irregularities in the verticals show that they (and probably also the horizontals) were incised rather than stamped into the surface. One probable lunate punctate or fingernail imprint can be discerned on the lip, but the small surviving extent of the lip renders it impossible to determine if this might be a repeated design. The best match found for this pattern is a Copeland Incised rim sherd from the Doncaster Site. The decoration on Vessel 4 matches the most common characteristics of this type, namely bands of horizontal lines interrupted by verticals. However, as lips are seldom marked with this type, this identification is not absolutely firm. The Copeland Incised decoration type is predominantly a product of the northern division of the Huron-Petun branch, which occupied the area roughly between the southern shores of Lakes Simcoe and Nipissing (Wright 1966: 66-67, 73-74, cf. Plate 17-2).

Vessel 5 (300/401 L: 4 D: 20 cm; Cat No. 97-362; and 300/401 L: 6 D: 29 cm; Cat No. 97-409)

Sherd Frequency: 2 Width (mm): 6 Interior Profile: concave Exterior Profile: convex Shoulder Motif & Technique: elliptical punctates (l: 6 mm; w: 3 mm; sd: 7 mm) Interior Motif & Technique: plain

97-362, 97-409 Vessel 5

Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2

Interior Carbon Encrustation: not present

These two sherds, found in the same square, have been attributed to the same vessel, based on similarities in decoration, colour and inclusions. Both sherds exhibit a single row of elliptical punctates, probably along the shoulder of the vessel. Sherd 97-409 includes the interior surface of the vessel, while 97-362 has exfoliated. Unlike the remainder of the vessel, the interior is a very dark grey, but its smoothness and hardness suggests that it results from reduction during firing rather than carbon encrustation. As with Vessel 9 from CbGu-1, this example cannot be confidently typed, since shoulder decoration such as punctates are seen on a number of different Iroquoian pottery types. Four sherds with a single row of punctates, all probably from the same vessel, were found on the LaVase North Bank Site in the autumn of 1996 excavations (Defonzo 1997: 9).

Vessel 6 (300/401 L: 5 D: 21-25 cm; Cat No. 97-398)

Sherd Frequency: 3 Width (mm): 5 Interior Profile: convex/concave Exterior Profile: concave/convex Exterior Motif & Technique: incised lines (l: >14 mm; w:3 mm; sd: 4 mm)

97-398 CbGu-5 Vessel 6

Interior Motif & Technique: plain

Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2

Interior Carbon Encrustation: not present

Vessel 6 is represented by three sherds, two of which are convex on their outer surfaces, while the third is concave. All the sherds have the same deep and tightly-spaced lines on the exterior. Fine parallel striations in the these lines show that they were incised. The apparent stance of these sherds (assuming a decrease in thickness towards the lip) has the lines extending down and to the right. The fabric is, on the whole, quite dark, as a result of reduction while being fired. Because of the small size and number of these sherds, not enough diagnostic elements are present for type identification.

Vessel 7 (300/401 L: 6 D: 26 cm; Cat No. 97-428)

Sherd Frequency: 1 Width (mm): >5 (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: >5 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 5 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3

97-428 CbGu-5 Vessel 7

The one sherd recovered from Vessel 7 includes the outer edge of its lip. Two lines extend down and to the left below the lip. One of these lines includes the parallel striations typical of incised lines. Despite the small size of the sherd, this vessel seems to be distinct from others because of its colour and the spacing of its lines. On the other hand, too little remains of this vessel for any attempt to be made to identify its decorative type.

Vessel 8 (309/398 L: 6 D: 28 cm; Cat No. 97-475)

Sherd Frequency: 1 Rim Form: collared Lip Form: flat Angle of Lip to Interior: right Lip Width (mm): 7 Rim Orientation: outflaring Interior Profile: convex Exterior Profile: concave Collar Height (mm): 13

97-475 CbGu-5 Vessel 8

Collar Base Shape: angular

Collar Base Width (mm): 11

Collar Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: 10 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 4 mm)

Neck Motif & Technique: plain

Interior Motif & Technique: plain

Lip Motif & Technique: linear stamped obliques (l: 7 mm; w: 3 mm; sd: 5 mm)

Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3

Interior Carbon Encrustation: present

Type: Sidey Notched

The lip, collar and upper neck of this vessel are included on the one recovered sherd. The inclusions used in the fabric are rather coarse fragments of quartzite. Blackening on the interior surface seems to be a thin layer of carbon encrustation. Notching along the lip of the vessel was performed by stamping with the angular edge of a stylus, creating deep, sharp oblique depressions. Roughly in line with these notches, a series of oblique lines are found stretching down and to the left from the lip to the bottom of the collar. It is suggested that these lines are incised rather than stamped, because of slight irregularities in their width, some evidence for striation, and the protrusion of the temper into the line beds (which is not seen in the stamped notches on the lip).

This combination of lip and collar decoration is characteristic of the Sidey Notched type of Iroquoian pottery. The same design is found on Vessel 2, but the two are easily distinguishable. While the obliques on these vessels are all in the same direction, had the sherds been larger, they might have been seen to reverse at intervals. This is the case on a rim sherd from the Seed Site, which is otherwise morphologically very similar (cf. Wright 1966: Plate 18-1). A variety of other close parallels was recovered from the Sidey-Mackay type site (cf. MacNeish 1952: Plate 9-5 to 9-8). The Sidey Notched decorative type is recovered mainly from Huronia, and is dated to the developed prehistoric and historic Huron-Petun culture, or roughly 1350 to 1687 (MacNeish 1952: 33, Figure 22).

Vessel 9 (309/398 L: 6 D: 25-30 cm; Cat No. WS-124)

Sherd Frequency: 1 Width (mm): >3 mm (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: concave Exterior Motif & Technique: linear stamped obliques (l: >10 mm; w: 1 mm; sd: 2 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3

WS-124 CbGu-5 Vessel 9

The only sherd recovered from Vessel 9 is an exfoliated fragment from the outer surface, including the incipient edge of the lip. Four lines are found on this sherd, extending down and to the left from the lip. It is suggested that these lines were stamped rather than incised, based on the rough surface of their beds. This last characteristic has been seen in grooves caused by surface treatment with a ribbed paddle; when the paddle was drawn away from the surface, suction raised the wet clay (Wintemberg 1948: 14). It seems likely that the same action was at work with these linear stamped obliques. The small amount of information recoverable from Vessel 9, however, prevents more detailed discussion.

Vessel 10 (312/398 L: 6-8 D: 30-40 cm; Cat No. 97-297) Sherd Frequency: 2 Width (mm): 6 Interior Profile: concave Exterior Profile: convex Interior Motif & Technique: elliptical punctates (?) (l: 5 mm; sd: 7 mm) and fingernail imprint (?) (l: 3 mm; w: 1 mm) Exterior Motif & Technique: plain Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3 Interior Carbon Encrustation: not present

WS-124 CbGu-5 Vessel 9

A group of 52 sherds (collectively catalogued as 97-297) were found in unit 312/398, within a 10 cm thick horizon divided amongst Levels 6, 7 and 8. These sherds have all been attributed to the same vessel, based on their shared provenience and similarities in colour and fabric. Furthermore, at least five of the plain body fragments mend together. The majority of the sherds from Vessel 10 are oxidized, but a small number show considerable reduction; none have carbon encrustation.

Unfortunately (and somewhat puzzlingly), no rim sherds are included in the Vessel 10 sample and the two sherds described above bear the only possible markings. One of the sherds has what appears to be a series of elliptical punctates along one edge. These markings, however, may in reality be nothing more than the coincidental shape of an otherwise normal fracture line. This interpretation helpfully obviates the need to explain why such decoration should only be found along one edge of the interior surface of only one sherd. Another sherd, also on its interior surface, includes an apparent fingernail imprint. If this is indeed a fingernail impression, it would have been made after the vessel had been formed, but before it had been fired. Because of this dearth of information, Vessel 10 cannot be attributed to any one of the Iroquoian pottery types.

CONCLUSIONS

A selection of attributes of the identified CbGu-5 Native ceramic vessels is assembled in Table 9 below. As with the CbGu-1 assemblage, the frequency of analyzable vessels is much too low for reliable statistics to be carried out. This is the result of the small number of vessels which could be confidently analyzed for each attribute type, as shown in the far right column. Keeping this limitation in mind, however, some general comments may be made about the LaVase Island Site Native pottery assemblage.

Table 9. Summary of selected attributes of the Aboriginal ceramics from the LaVase Island Site (CbGu-5).

When the frequencies of decorative techniques or motor habits are considered, a slightly wider variety of motor habits are found on Bothwell Island than on the North Bank (cf. Table S). However, the assemblages are fairly similar overall. Incision is here also the most common technique, being the only form of decoration on 40% of the vessels and being found in combination with other techniques on 60% of the total.

The inclination of oblique lines shows that the majority of potters were most likely right-handed, a conclusion also reached for CbGu-1. Lines sloping down and to the left have been used as an indicator of right-handedness. Under this assumption, it can be speculated that 80% of the CbGu-5 vessels were most likely manufactured by right-handed individuals. A similar proportion (86.41%) was obtained from the pottery at the Miller Site, which correlates well with the percentage of right-handedness in modern North American society (Kenyon 1968: 43).

Interior rim profiles and generalized motifs have been demonstrated to have diachronic changes in frequency. In the development of the Huron-Petun ceramic tradition, concave and straight interior profiles are considered earlier than the convex shape found in the Historic Period (Wright 1974: 230). However, only two vessels with analyzable interior rim profiles were found, one concave and one convex. It is, therefore, impossible to reach any conclusion about the progressive or conservative position of the CbGu-5 potters in relation to the Ontario Iroquoian ceramic tradition. Similarly, it has been shown that there is a change in the general motif design of Huron-Petun vessels through time. A progression is visible from horizontal to oblique and/or vertical designs by the Historic Period, with a mixture of these motifs being considered intermediate (Wright 1974: 235). On the basis of this observation, it can be concluded that most (71.4%) of the Bothwell Island ceramics were either produced late in the Huron-Petun tradition or were made by progressive potters. Again, however, the small sample size (7 vessels) casts doubts on the reliability of any such conclusions.

Table 9a, below, summarizes the occurrence of Iroquoian pottery types among the CbGu-5 vessels, as identified above. Three ceramic types were recognized, but in frequencies of only one or two vessels each. This small sample size and the uncertainty of some identifications makes it impossible to carry out any quantitative analysis of these types. It is interesting that none of the types is shared between CbGu-1 and CbGu-5, but this is not surprising, given their small number at each site. All the types have the same general date range, from c. 1350 to 1687. This range falls within the Terminal Woodland Period, which extends from about A.D. 1000 to the Historic Period (Wright 1972: 64).

Table 9a. Iroquoian pottery types identified at the LaVase Island Site (CbGu-5), including approximate expected date ranges, vessel identification numbers, vessel frequencies and percentage of typed vessels.

As with the LaVase North Bank Site, an attempt was made to fit the Native ceramic assemblage from CbGu-5 into the typology developed for the Huron components of Awenda Provincial Park (O'Brien 1976: 76-79). Again, however, this attempt was frustrated by the small number and size of analyzable sherds and the exclusion from the typology of motifs such as Ontario Horizontal (Vessel 3) and Copeland Incised (Vessel 4).

The findings presented above for the 1992 and 1997 field seasons are similar to the Late Woodland ceramics from the 1995 ASI excavations on Bothwell Island. It suffices here to say that these also all appear to belong to the Ontario Iroquoian pottery tradition; for a full discussion of these finds, the reader is referred to the 1995 site report. However, ASI also recovered one Middle Woodland (c. A.D. 400-600) and one Transitional Woodland (c. 600-900) vessel (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 124-29). These finds supplement the knowledge gained from the 1992 and 1997 assemblages by demonstrating that the occupation of this site stretches as much as sixteen centuries into the past.

The 1992 and 1997 Native ceramics from the LaVase Island Site (CbGu-5) are consistent with the Ontario Iroquoian pottery tradition. This conclusion is not contradictory with the theory of occupation by the Nipissing people, who formed part of the northern branch of this tradition despite their Algonkian ethnicity. The evidence of this small ceramic assemblage indicates occupation of Bothwell Island during the Terminal Woodland Period, or more specifically within a time frame from about 1350 to 1687.

Because of the small number of identified vessels from the LaVase North Bank and LaVase Island Sites (10 vessels each), more reliable conclusions can be reached by combining their assemblages and studying both sites together. Table U summarizes the selection of attributes presented separately in Tables S and T.

Table 10. Summary of selected attributes of the combined Native ceramic assemblages from the LaVase North Bank Site (CbGu-1) and the LaVase Island Site (CbGu-5).

Following the information presented above for the CbGu-1 and CbGu-5 ceramics, some general conclusions may be drawn from the attributes of the combined assemblages from the two LaVase River sites. Incision is the most common decorative technique, being found alone on 55% and in association with other techniques on 75% of the 20 decorated vessels. In various combinations, punctates and linear stamps are also common, being visible on 25% and 20% of the vessels, respectively. In 70% of the analyzable cases, oblique lines incline downwards and to the right, suggesting that the majority of individuals who made these vessels were right-handed. The combined occurrence of concave and straight interior rim profiles (75%) implies that the vessels either date from early in the Ontario Iroquoian tradition or were made by conservative potters. This conclusion might well be spurious, however, as only 4 vessels from both sites were sufficiently intact to allow their interior rim profiles to be identified. Conversely, the generalized motifs suggest that the assemblage is either late in the tradition or was the product of mostly progressive potters. The majority (66.7%) of generalized motifs are found to be oblique or vertical, with the earlier horizontal motif accounting for only 8.3% of the 12 vessels for which line orientation could be ascertained. While the size of this sample is larger than that for oblique line direction, it is still to small for absolute conclusions to be made.

Table 11 shows the Iroquoian pottery types recovered from both CbGu-1 and CbGu-5. While it is hoped that this combined assemblage of 9 vessels is a more representative sample for the area at the mouth of the LaVase River, it must be kept in mind that no single type was recovered from both sites. These types all date to the Terminal Woodland Period of c. A.D. 1000 to the time of contact with Europeans. Examination of Table O shows that the majority of vessels date from the period between about 1350 and 1687, while the one Iroquois Linear example might have been manufactured as early as 1100.

Table 11. Iroquoian pottery types identified in the combined assemblages from the LaVase North Bank Site (CbGu-1) and the LaVase Island Site (CbGu-5), including approximate expected date ranges, vessel frequencies and percentage of typed vessels.

The Northern Division of the Huron-Petun branch of the Iroquoian tradition was centred in Huronia (i.e., the Simcoe County area), but extended northwards as far as the south shore of Lake Nipissing. The presence of one Lawson Incised vessel at the LaVase River sites points to the Middleport origin of this division. The dominant pottery types of the Northern Division include Lalonde High Collar, Huron Incised, Black Necked and Sidey Notched. The last three of these types are visible on the two LaVase River sites, together representing 55.5% of the decorated Native ceramic assemblage. Lalonde High Collar pottery is notably absent, but the fragmentary nature of the sherds may have resulted in the lack of identification of this type. Furthermore, Copeland Incised pottery is diagnostic of the Northern Division (Wright 1966: 68, 73-74, Map 4). The tentative identification of one Copeland Incised vessel, therefore, strengthens the ties between the LaVase River sites and the Huron-Petun Northern Division. The combination of the above types accounts for 77.7% of the combined assemblage, strengthening the archaeological ties between the LaVase River sites and the Huron-Petun Peoples.

It has been shown that the Huron Incised and Sidey Notched pottery types together constitute 50% or more of the vessels recovered from historic sites of both Huron and Petun cultural affiliation. The high incidence of these two types can therefore be used as a marker of the period of fusion between the Northern and Southern Huron-Petun Divisions in the historic period (Wright 1966: 76). When the two La Vase River sites are considered together, the Huron Incised and Sidey Notched types account for 33.3% of the decorated vessel total. While this percentage might suggest a late prehistoric date for these sites, it must be remembered that even this combined assemblage is far too small to constitute a representative sample for such statistical analysis.

The use of the area at the mouth of the La Vase River (sometimes known as the "Prairies des Vases") has a long history as a campground for the Nipissing/Algonquin Aboriginal peoples of the region. Historical records show that voyageurs and explorers passing through the portages often witnessed Native camps at the river mouth (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 31). The 1992 and 1997 ceramic assemblages from CbGu-1 and CbGu-5 strengthen these historical anecdotes with physical evidence of such camps and demonstrate the repeated occupation of this area in prehistory, with a range of c. 1100 to 1687. Furthermore, the Middle Woodland finds from both sites in 1995 and 1996 could extend this length of occupation as much as two thousand years into the past (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 128; Patrick Julig, Laurentian University 1998: personal communication). The ceramic evidence also shows that the late prehistoric Nipissing people had entirely adopted Iroquoian pottery types. This conclusion reinforces what is known about the close social and economic contact between the Nipissing and their Huron neighbours to the south. The study of the Native ceramics from the LaVase North Bank and LaVase Island Sites, therefore, serves to confirm and expand upon our knowledge of the Anishnabek people, who have indelibly left their mark on the prehistory and early history of this area.

6.1.4 Metal

Michael Barnes

Two fragments of a tinkle cone were recovered from wet-screening. WS-103 represents the tip of a tinkle cone or the "tinkle ball". This specimen is 3mm in diameter and is corroded, giving the metal a blue colouration. The other fragment represents a small portion of the actual tinkle cone. The material used to create this tinkle cone was probably brass, copper, or tin (or a combination of each). Tinkle cones were typically created from kettles or "snuff" containers (personal communication, Terry Dokis 1998) and were used in adornment for clothing.

6.1.5 Red Ochre

Michael Barnes

The recovery of red ochre was greater in number of pieces, but less in total volume when compared to the North Bank site. This is due to the wet-screening technique used at the Island site. Wet-screening recoveries accounted for 86% of the total Island site red ochre. Most of these elements were very small fragments ranging from 1-5mm in diameter.

6.1.6 Native Pipes

Jonathan Ferguson

Two stem fragments from Native clay pipes were found at the LaVase Island Site in 1992: Cat. Nos. 5-92-67 and 5-92-86. Both of these fragments are quite small, preserving less than half of the stem circumference. Nevertheless, some general comments can be made about these artifacts.

Stem fragment 5-92-67 is, to its surviving extent, almost perfectly round in cross-section. The exterior surface of this piece is quite dark and very smooth, suggesting that it was burnished. This conclusion was supported by examination under magnification and oblique lighting: rubbing with a stone or other hard object had created lines of increased smoothness, parallel to the stem axis. Such care in smoothing was noted on a pipe stem from the Potato Island Site in Northwestern Ontario (Koezur and Wright 1976: 21, cf. Plate 3-6). Other than the dark brown exterior, the fabric is a medium beige colour, with very small inclusions (under 1 mm). The interior bore is quite smooth and regular, consistent with the clay of the stem having been formed around a stick or reed. The lack of striations suggests that this object was burned away, rather than having been withdrawn prior to the firing process.

The other pipe stem fragment (5-92-86) is perhaps of more interest. The exterior surface has been lightly burnished, as shown by smooth lines parallel to the stem axis, but it is still noticeably rougher than 5-92-67. The curvature of this surface is not regularly round, being somewhat flattened towards one side. A variety of such irregular stem cross-sections (ovoid, oblong, lenticular, etc.) were observed on the pipes from the Middleport Site (Wintemberg 1948: 24-25, cf. Figure 3f-m). At the Miller Site, the prevalent cross-sectional form was circular or ovoid, with a flattened upper surface (Kenyon 1968: 49, cf. Plate 31). The cross-section of 5-92-86 can therefore be ascribed to one of these shapes. The clay fabric is a medium brownish-grey, with sparse inclusions all under 1 mm.

The interior bore of stem fragment 5-92-86 is quite remarkable. Two elliptical impressions can be seen, with well-defined striations crossing their lengths. Upon comparison with a braid of sweetgrass , these impressions were found to be the imprint of just such a braid ( see illustration at left). The use of grasses in the forming of stem bores has been documented at other sites. At the Methodist Point Site near Penetanguishene, Ontario, it was noted for one pipe that "The stem hole was formed by rolling the wet clay around a few grass stalks and then burning the grasses out in the firing process" (Smith 1979: 29). A closer parallel is found in the stem fragment from the Potato Island Site mentioned above. In this case, "The stem hole appears to have been achieved by wrapping the clay around a twisted cord" (Koezur and Wright 1976: 21). Blackening around the stem bore might have been deposited though the burning of the braid or the actual use of the pipe for smoking.

It is interesting that a braid was used for forming the stem bore, considering that a stick, a reed or "a few grass stalks" could serve the same function with less effort. This investment in care might be related to the ritualistic function of the smoking pipe in Native life. While it is uncertain that sweetgrass was indeed the fibre used to make the braid, this might reflect a connection between the spiritual qualities of sweetgrass and the tobacco pipe. Sweetgrass, furthermore, is known to grow in the area (John Pollock, Settlement Surveys Ltd. 1998: personal communication).

More complete smoking pipes, of Iroquoian inspiration or manufacture, were recovered from both CbGu-1 and CbGu-5 in the 1995 field season (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 101, 129, cf. Plate 7). However, despite the small size and frequency of the 1992 LaVase Island Site smoking pipe fragments, they nonetheless help to open a window onto the spiritual aspects of Native culture.

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