Abstract:

Pointe-aux-Buissons Site excavated by the Quebec Prehistoric Archaeology Society, (La societe d'archéologie préhistorique du Québec SAPQ). The Quebec Prehistoric Archaeology Society was founded in October, 1966 although it has been in existence de facto and operating since May of the preceding year. The SAPQ, as it is known by its French initials, is represented at this conference by MM Laurent Girouard, Serges-Andre Crete, and M Gerard MacKenzie. The SAPQ in 1965 began a five-year projected excavation of the Pointe-aux-Bois site, 25 miles upstream from Montreal. To date, after three summers' work, five stratified camp sites have been located in the area. Of these five, only three have been excavated so far, but plans have been made to complete the investigation of the other two. The time range of these camp sites, from artifactual materials, appears to range from late Archaic to late Woodlands. Carbon-14 evaluations are still being awaited, and it is hoped that these will confirm the proposed sequence. These sites may be arranged serially from Laurel pottery traits' occurrance in association with Archaic (lithic) industry tools. Hopewellian pottery features have been detected, mingled with Laurel and Woodlands incised and cord-wrapped stick-impressed surfaces. The uppermost levels of site 2, dating from Iroquois times, have yielded the remains of the only dwelling found. Other signs of life in the camp were a midden and several exposed hearths. Metal objects of European origin serve to place the latest find at the beginning of the historic period. General stratification and amounts of pottery fragments indicate that the sites were occupied for relatively long periods of time. It is hoped that further excavation will give insight into the activities of Iroquois groups in the St. Lawrence Valley at the beginning of the historic period.