Archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador 1997
Edited by K. Nelmes
Dildo Island 1997 Field Season
Sylvie LeBlanc
The Dildo Island archaeological project is an ongoing project initiated in 1995, in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. To this day, three archaeological campaigns have been conducted on Dildo Island. Survey work conducted in the fall of 1995 (Gilbert 1996) yielded evidence of an aboriginal occupation of the island by Recent Indian, Beothuk and Dorset people. In the historic period the island was visited by John Guy (1612) and a cod hatchery was in operation in the late 1800s. Two years of excavation in the summers of 1996 and 1997 revealed portions of two dwellings and thousands of artifacts belonging to the Middle Dorset culture (1900 to 1100 B.P.). The Dorset material uncovered on Dildo Island is similar to other material from elsewhere in the Trinity Bay area (Evans 1993, Robbins 1985) but differs significantly from any other Dorset material from Newfoundland and Labrador and from other parts of Arctic Canada. It is now clear that we can refer to a distinct Trinity Bay Dorset complex.
This paper presents a summary of the archaeological activities of the 1997 field season.
Our 1997 field season specific goals were:
- To completely uncover one of the Dorset dwellings (House 2) that was partially excavated in the previous field season
- To obtain charcoal samples for radiocarbon dating
- To work with community members on the reproduction of a Dorset dwelling for the benefit of tourism.
Excavation of House 2
In excavating House 2 our hope was to obtain a very tightly associated collection of data from a single dwelling in order to refine the definition of the Trinity Bay Dorset complex. Our research design focused more specifically on: (1) the recovery of a larger sample of artifacts; (2) dwelling architecture and intra-site spatial organization; and (3) the collection of radiocarbon samples to date the occupation.
Our main objective for the 1997 field season was to complete the excavation of House 2, which had been partially uncovered in 1996. This goal was unfortunately not achieved. The unsuspected and unusual large size of the dwelling – so far 6 metres of a mid-passage pavement have been uncovered – did not allow for its complete recovery.
Although the definite shape and length of the dwelling are not yet possible to determine, we were able to uncover the western and eastern limits of the house. The eastern limit or the eastern wall of the house is clearly marked by a depression dug into the hillside. On the other hand, the western limit of the house does not exhibit any depression; instead it would seem that, on that side, the dwelling structure might have been held down by large rocks. Thus, it would appear that House 2 cannot entirely be defined as a semi-subterranean dwelling but represents rather a composite type of dwelling mixing semi-subterranean and tent ring architectural traits.
Partial excavation of House 2 has also allowed for the identification of the cooking area of the dwelling. On the east side of the mid-passage pavement, a feature (2 m x 75 cm) consisting of a deposit of sand and small pebbles is literally covered with fat. Associated with this feature is a lamp stand; the fat stain suggests a lamp that could have been about 25 cm in length. Another lamp stand found in the southern portion of the house also exhibits a fat stain of roughly the same dimension.
House 2 did not produce any fire-cracked rocks and evidently oil, more than likely seal oil, must have been the only combustible used for heat and light. This is interesting and marks a clear contrast with House 1 (partially excavated in 1996), in which fire-cracked rocks were numerous and evidence of fat almost completely absent.
Further description of dwelling architecture will be provided when the excavation of House 2 is completed.
As yet, House 2 has yielded over two thousand Dorset artifacts. Typical of the Dildo Island site – and of the Trinity Bay Dorset complex– are elongated un-notched, ground and finely serrated harpoon endblades, small quartz crystal scrapers, and small quartz crystal microblades. The 1997 field season was interesting as it yielded a whole range of yet unknown Dorset artifacts including long flensing knives, chisel-like tools, a wide variety of burin-like tools, some unusual long and narrow bifaces, and even an arrowhead, which has no precedent in Dorset inventories. Soapstone lamp or bowl fragments and lamp stands were also found.
Radiocarbon Dates
Seven charcoal samples were sent for radiocarbon dating. Results for only six samples have been returned. The seventh sample needed AMS treatment and we are expecting the result shortly. Except for the 2200 ± 90 date, which would be more consistent in an Early palaeoeskimo context [1], the rest of the dates place the site well within the Middle Dorset time range known for the island of Newfoundland (1900 to 100 B.P.).
| House 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2200 ± 90 B.P. | (Beta 116904) | (340 – 160 B.C.) |
| 1280 ± 60 B.P. | (Beta 116905) | (610 – 730 A.D.) |
| House 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1410 ± 70 B.P. | (Beta 116906) | (470 – 610 A.D.) |
| 1720 ± 60 B.P. | (Beta 116907) | (170 – 290 A.D.) |
| 1640 ± 70 B.P. | (Beta 116908) | (240 – 380 A.D.) |
| 1430 ± 50 B.P. | (Beta 116909) | (470 – 570 A.D.) |
Reproduction of Dorset Dwelling
Members of the Dildo Community, in collaboration with the archaeological team, have successfully reconstructed a Dorset dwelling on the parking lot of the local interpretation centre. This and the exhibit presented in the interpretation centre have not only contributed to the local tourism industry but have also increased local residents’ awareness of their own heritage. This, I regard as an important benefit resulting from the Dildo Island project.
In the coming field season our hope is to complete the excavation of House 2.
Note:
[1] This sample was obtained from a test pit near House 1. It is not yet determined if this sample can be clearly associated with the House. Further excavation is needed in this area to fully understand the context related to this date.