Abstract

L'île-aux-Basques is a small island in the estuary of the St. Lawrence River located across from the mouth of the Saguenay River. Archival documents, historical accounts, and archaeological investigations reveal that the island was visited by numerous ethnic groups. Archaeological excavations conducted at the Cache (DaEh-1) site in 1992 uncovered components that include late Middle Woodland, 15th century, and mid-17th century aboriginal campsites. A diversity of non-local materials clearly indicate that this area in particular was an active cultural crossroads that not only linked the lower Great Lakes with western Europe but which also included. a north-south route that linked the Bay of Fundy with central and northern Québec. And as would be expected, local marine resources were a major attraction to the island.