Abstract

Archaeological study of more than 250,000 artifacts from 75 Iroquoian sites in the Crawford Lake area of Southern Ontario over the past 25 years has revealed a complex occupation by 'proto-Huron' peoples, and by 'proto-Neutral' peoples and the prehistoric and historic Neutral peoples who were their descendants. These were Iroquoian- speaking peoples who practiced slash-and-burn horticulture and lived in long houses in villages from 0.5 to 5 hectares in extent. Current data reveal that the area was first occupied about A.D. 1000 by 'proto-Huron' peoples, and it has been possible to trace the history of two communities of 'proto-Huron' peoples as they relocated and merged their villages at least 13 times over a period of 500 years. In the late 15th century A.D. five communities of 'proto-Neutral' peoples moved into the Crawford Lake area from the west and established their villages within 2.8-7.3 km (mean=4.6) of the single 'proto-Huron' village. This had the effect of surrounding the original 'proto-Huron' occupants. It is hypothesized that the peaceful co-existence and close proximity of these villages was possible as a result of alliance formation and maintenance which involved trading, feasting, and perhaps exchange of women. Material culture recovered from archaeological deposits of these sites reveals that many artifacts served not only a practical function but also as badges indicating the community where they were made and used. The approach taken, and results obtained, have significant implications for the archaeological study of slash-and-burn horticulturists world-wide in the 21st century.