Abstract

Excavations in 1993 at the Witch Point Site revealed structural and ceremonial features not previously encountered by the author on other Lake Temagami sites. The prehistoric inhabitants in the Archaic, Middle Woodland and late Woodland periods spent considerable effort in collecting and transporting beach cobbles onto the 4 in high esker top. The cumulative effect is a rock pavement in a sandy substrate. Sweat baths, roasting pits, hearths and lithic raw material caches are among the likely functions for these rock structures. In the unusually thick, organic enriched Ah horizon, Late Woodland pottery (Huron Incised style) dominates, compared to the predominantly Middle Woodland components at Three Pines Site which is located on a low sand terrace on the opposite lake shore. Of particular note at Witch Point, is the occurrence of red ochre nodules, red ochre paste pottery, clear quartz crystals and a dog burial, which all suggest ritual and ceremonial activities. This paper examines variation in site structure, settlement features and stratigraphic sequence between the Witch Point Site and the Three Pines Site. It considers several explanations for these major differences based on seasonality, changing lake levels, technological change and social factors influencing variation in site usage and function over time.