CCHA, Report, 14 (1946-47), 15-27
St. Ignace II
By
W. W. JURY
A report of Archeological
investigations carried on from August 1 to November 1, 1946 within the stakes
outlining a palisaded wall discovered by the late Mr. W. J. Wintemberg,
National Museum of Canada, in 1937 and 1938 on the site concerning which in his
preliminary report, he has stated, “I am convinced that this is the site of St.
Ignace.”
St. Ignace II was built in
1648 by the Huron Indians and destroyed by the Iroquois on March 16, 1649. It
was the scene of the martyrdom of the Jesuit fathers, Saint Jean de Brebeuf and
Saint Gabriel Lalement.
The
writer wishes to express his thanks to the Reverend T. J. Lally, of the
Martyr’s Shrine, Midland and his staff for their very generous cooperation
throughout. He is indebted to Mr. G. H. Reavely, Professor of Geology at the
University of Western Ontario, who made a topographical study of the site, and
to Dr. Helen Battle of the Biology Department of the University, who made the
map tracings. This report has been edited by Miss Elste McLeod Murray.
THE SITE
The
site we call St. Ignace II was a palisaded Huron Indian village on a fifteen
acre plot of land now owned by the Martyrs’ Shrine at Midland. It is on the
west half of lot 5, concession 9, Tay township, Simcoe County, Ontario. It
shows evidence of short occupancy. Only one shallow refuse dump was found, in
which were the the scattered remains of pottery but no other artifacts. The
village was surrounded with palisades, a double row being located on the
section to the south-east where there was natural protection by the steep banks
of the Sturgeon River or its tributaries.
HURONIA
The
site is in Huronia which was the name given by the early French to the district
that lies between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. It is bounded on the west by
Nottawasaga Bay and on the east by Matchedash Bay.
Huronia
was the tribal land occupied by the Wandea Indians who were called Hurons by
the French, which name, as related by Father Lalement; came from their head
dress, a ridge of bristles worn on the middle of the head.
The
Hurons built their villages on the top of a series of seven ridges of loose
superficial materials, each ridge rising higher than the last, the highest
ridge being some eight hundred and fifty feet above the level of Georgian Bay.
The hills were made up of formations of sand, clay, gravel, and boulder stones,
and ran in a northeast direction. It is important to note the direction of
these hills as they determine the direction of the overland trails which
connected the villages and town lands. In the valleys that lay between these
hills there was a dense growth of underbrush that made travel almost
impossible.
There
are various estimations of the Huron population at the time of the arrival of
the European. Champlain and Father Le Caron who visited the Hurons in 1615 put
them down at 10,000 persons, and estimated that they lived in seventeen or
eighteen towns. In 1635, Father Brebeuf found them divided into twenty villages
with a population of 30,000 while Father Lalement set the figure at thirty
villages.
SEARCH FOR THE SITE,
1844.1846
For
one hundred years the search for St. Ignace has gone on. Two hundred years
after it was burned the first systematic investigation was made by Father
Chazell in 1844 but no conclusions could be drawn from his observations. In
1855 Father Felix Martin continued the search, and from 1880 to 1865 Dr. J. C.
Tache carried on an extensive study of the area but still with no success.
Father
Arthur Edward Jones in 1898 seemed at the time to have good reason for
believing that he had located the elusive village but in 1908 he was forced to
admit his error. In the meantime, in 1900 M. A. V. Hunter of Barrie established
a site on a neighbouring farm which he thought must be St. Ignace, but it was
later discredited on the grounds that it did not correspond to the descriptions
of the situation of the village as given by Father Ragueneau in the
“Relations”.
We
now come to the real discoverer of the site which is today called St. Ignace.
Alphonse
Arpin was one of the early French Canadian pioneers of the Midland district. He
watched the growth of Midland and was deeply interested in the development of
the area. He was without the advantages of schooling but had all the instincts
of a research historian. He was fascinated by the early stories of Huronia and
as a devout Catholic his interest centred on the missionary efforts of his
beloved church. To find the spot where the Jesuit priests Brebeuf and Lalement
had met their death became an obsession with him. He learned by heart the
passages of the “Relations” that concerned the story, and with his knowledge of
the countryside he set about a systematic search for the site of St. Ignace.
In
1932 he met Mr. T. G. Connor of Goderich, a fellow searcher, and together they
visited the site chosen by Arpin as the most probable one. Connor was convincd
that no site of St. Ignace had been found but recognized the fact that it could
be found only by a scientific archaeological investigation. Connor referred the
matter to Dr. William of Goderich who is interested in historical matters and
who in turn told the story to Dr. Cameron Wilson of London.
The
matter eventually came to the attention of the University of Western Ontario
who considered that the suggested site was worthy of investigation and obtained
the service of the late W. J. Wintemberg of the National Museum of Canada. In
the summer of 1937 and 1938 Mr. Wintemberg conducted excavations of the site
and became convinced of its authenticity. He discovered the postmoulds that
marked the location of a palisade that completely surrounded a ten-acre plot of
land, and two long houses measuring 100 feet by 30 feet. Mr. Wintemberg’s death
in the following year, however, and the outbreak of the war caused the work to
be postponed until the summer of 1946 when at the request of the Roman Catholic
Church I was sent by the U. of W. O. to excavate the area enclosed by the
stakes that marked the palisade’s post holes as found by Wintemberg.
EXCAVATIONS – 1946
On a sultry August afternoon
I made my way with tools, implements and full camping regalia, up a steep
winding trail to a plateau of brown parched grass stretching to the heavily
wooded hills in the east where seared yellow poplars, maples, pines and cedars
blended into the deep green of the hillside. A fringe of silver birch, cedar,
poplar and maple, growing in the ravines that almost surrounded it enclosed the
site and gave one an impression of complete seclusion from the outside world.
Towards
the centre of the field a large cobblestone cross had been erected by the
Society of Jesus commemorating the martyrdom of the Fathers Brebeuf and
Lalement. Wintemberg’s stakes had been replaced by square pegs.
It
was impossible not to feel the challenge of this apparently peaceful scene. A
story of the past lay beneath the flat brown surface and the task ahead was to
decipher its meaning.
I
immediately set up my tent. Water was close at hand in the Sturgeon River and
in the natural spring which was bound to be close by, since we now knew that
Wintemberg had discovered an Indian palisaded village. It followed too that
both stream and spring abounded in tasty brook trout.
The
first days were spent in studying the district, especially the banks of the
river for a mile in each direction. The soil in this area is of light sand with
a stratum of hard pan about nine inches under the surface. The land in adjacent
fields show evidence of forest fires. In many places it is wind driven to the
hard pan that resembles shale. In spots where intense fires have heated the
ground the sand is congealed and breaks into particles that resemble sandstone.
Decayed vegetation and debris form a dark soil in the depressions. It is not a
productive soil. Even the grass does not grow rank as in clay loam or in good
sand ground.
The
land under examination had been cultivated and recultivated for many years, and
at one time a small building had been erected on the south side of the plateau.
The settlers’ road had long grown over and could hardly be distinguished.
Before the excavation was completed however, this road became a much used
thoroughfare. An average of seventy-five persons a day visited the site and on
Sundays there were several hundred.
POST MOULD AND ASHES
The
story of the excavation of the St. Ignace site is one of post moulds. Trenches
were run below the plowed surface in which, when carefully scraped, we could
detect the light grey imprints left by the decayed posts. When followed to
their extremity, they extended into the ground some 18 inches to 2½ feet. Their
points were cone shaped and charred.
The
post moulds of palisades and longhouses measured from 4 to 8 inches in
diameter. Site 26 alone varied from this rule. When four lines of these post
moulds were discovered the trenches were extended well beyond the corners in
order to be certain of the correct outine of the building.
Another
important factor in tracing the sites of this village was the even layer of
ash, mixed with the sandy soil, that lay almost in straight lines where walls
had fallen after being consumed by fire. Series of test holes and trenches revealed
these lines.
The
work was done with shovels rather than the usual trowel. Time and the
relatively large area under examination did not permit us to use the slower
method, nor did we consider it desirable to do so as we found that by shaving
the trench with a sharp shovel until the floor of the trench was smooth, we
could detect the post holes more readily than by scraping with the edge of a
trowel.
The
work was carried on with the assistance of eight or ten workmen, and some
volunteer aid.
FORTIFICATIONS
It
was apparent that the site was a highly strategic one for defence purposes. At
no place within a radius of several miles had nature provided a stronger
defence. Flanked on three sides by the banks of the Sturgeon River and two of
its tributaries, a small space only, to the east remained unprotected by
nature. Our attention was first directed to this weak point in the
fortifications and exploratory trenches were run in that region. We were
rewarded by the discovery of an inner row of palisade post holes at a distance
of 25 feet from the outer palisade.
At
the south-east corner, as indicated on the map, a complicated maze of post
lines came to light. No immediate explanation can be offered concerning their
meaning but it is reasonable to surmise that they were a part of the scheme for
defence, possibly the remnants of posts that upheld a platform near one of the
main entrances of the village.
All
post moulds of the palisades were in a staggered position about one foot apart.
Thus we know that the walls consisted of brush and bark woven into upright
posts. But in the eastern section, and only in this section, gaps of 4 to 8
feet were found in both outer and inner palisades. The apparent carelessness of
the builders in leaving this side thus exposed, in spite of their obvious plans
to doubly fortify it, can be explained only if at the time of its destruction
the village were still under construction and material for building was being
carried through these gaps from the level lands to the east rather than up the
high banks that surrounded the other three sides. Substantiating this belief
were several large ash pits located some 6 to 8 feet within the eastern walls.
We believe that these are the remains of fire’s used for burning the poles to a
length suitable for building purposes. Had the village been completed the
remains of such fires would have disappeared.
The
Indians, it is well known, followed the practice of burning poles to a
cone-shaped point and the charred remains of such burnt points were clearly
discernible throughout the foundations of all the buildings and palisades on
the site.
As
we extended our exploratory trenches in the vicinity of the palisades, a line
of posts became evident, a distance of 8 feet apart, and 4 feet within the
palisade wall, which proved to encircle that whole site. These imprints were
undoubtedly the remains of posts that had upheld a platform or a cat-walk for
defence in case of attack. It was from such platforms that the Indians threw
rocks and poured boiling water upon attacking bands. They were built by placing
posts, usually 4 or 5 feet within the village walls and attaching cross pieces
from the posts to the walls, upon which rested a flooring of poles.
At
the north-west corner of the site, where the Sturgeon River bends, the bank is
50 feet deep. There is a ledge, consisting approximately of an acre of land,
about 8 feet below the level of the village. At the brink of the bank, a line
of Wintemberg’s stakes followed for 12 feet beyond the walls of the village.
Another line of Wintemberg’s stakes left the village walls 140 feet to the
east. No explanation can be given for Wintemberg’s not having completed these
lines. Post moulds came to light readily and surrounded this ledge except for a
short distance in the western section where water erosion had destroyed the
evidence.
This
area then had been surrounded by a palisade similar to the palisade that
surrounded the village. It is probable that this compound served as an
additional fortification for the village at a point which was vulnerable to
attack by water, providing also a place to store canoes and to house visiting
tribes. It was the custom for Indian villages to have accommodation for visitors
outside the walls. The gates of the village could be closed and the visitors,
friendly or otherwise, would be relatively safe within the outer compound. A
thorough investigation of this tract of land yielded no evidence of buildings
or of storage pits.
We
cannot leave the compound without mention of its natural beauty. Great
outspreading branches of giant pines and a profuse growth of of smaller trees,
ferns and mosses lend it a primitive atmosphere. Here one could feel oneself to
be in surroundings similar to those of three hundred years ago when the village
was in process of building. Small birds of almost every variety found sanctuary
in this spot and at the base of the bank the clear fresh stream bends, and
winds its way through the meadowland that lies below.
GATEWAYS
The
village site had two well-protected gateways. In the northwest corner a 10 foot
laneway 80 feet long ran through the compound just described into the village
proper. A gateway led from the village to the compound and a second one
probably from the compound to the river but this second gateway must only be
conjectured as it is at this point that erosion of the river banks has
destroyed all evidence. The path, however, can be traced to the river’s edge,
and at this point only is the slope to the river gradual.
The
second gateway was in the opposite or south-east corner. Here a similar laneway
extended throughout both palisades to the flat land beyond. It was around this
opening that the maze of post moulds mentioned above and still unexplainable
were found.
Both
laneways were barred by gates, as indicated by a series of post moulds, at
intervals of 20 feet through which there were openings as shown on the map.
Thus the builders provided against an attack by assault. As with the palisades,
evidence of a cat-walk or platform ran on both sides of the laneways. This
method of protecting the gateways was an innovation in Indian warfare and is
not found in pre-European fortifications.
HOUSES
Site 1
58’ x 15’
In
the south-east corner of the site a row of stakes running north and south had
been placed by Wintemberg although not charted on his map. Following the possibility
that these might mark a part of a building foundation, numerous test holes were
sunk in the vicinity and soon a second line of post holes 15 feet to the east
of Wintemberg’s line, and running parallel to it were discovered. This new line
extended 58 feet. We then completed Wintemberg’s line which proved to be the
same length and the corners of a building became evident. The two end walls
were traced, the north wall having an opening of 4 feet. This site was marked
No. 1. An individual chart of this site was made recording each post hole and
it was entered on the master map of the site. This practice of recording our
finds was followed throughout the excavation.
Site 2
32' x 104'
Often,
in archaeological pursuit, unexpected and important evidence comes to light
when least expected. Our temporary camp was set up at the south-west corner of
the site and it was while digging a garbage hole that we found a bed of ashes
partly under a stump, and in these ashes were a number of fire stones. It
immediately suggested the kitchen midden of a longhouse. An examination of the
soil of the vicinity of the ash pit revealed a line of post moulds some 8 feet
distant, running north and south for 35 feet. At the south end of this line was
a post imprint, 6 inches by 8 inches which proved to be a corner. Rounding the
corner, post holes were again followed for 104 feet to the east, where another
corner was reached. The four sides when completed had three doorways all 4 feet
wide: one in the west wall, a second at the east end of the south wall, and a
third in the centre of the north wall.
The
enclosed area of the house site was examined revealing a line of post moulds 4½
feet within the walls. These were the remains of posts that upheld the rows of
sleeping bunks that ran the length of the interior of the longhouse. Another
row of post holes 12 feet apart were discovered in the centre of the building.
Apparently the roof was supported by centre poles. These as well as the unusual
width of the building pointed to European influence in the construction of the
longhouse.
Also,
in a prehistoric Indian longhouse, the fire pits were placed in the centre of
the building but in this building the fire pits were located between the bunks
and the centre poles. There were five on each side, ten fire pits in all.
Around two of the fire pits near the west end a number of burnt fire stones
were located and at the edge of one fire pit a cell and two gaming stones were
found. On this house site, too, we found six wampum shell beads of a type
commonly worn by the Iroquois.
A
thin stratum of ashes was evident, sometimes within and sometimes outside the
post moulds marking the sides of the building, from which it was deducted that
the building had been consumed by fire. Mixed through these ashes, small
particles of carbonized bark was found, no doubt the remains of elm bark, the
covering of an Indian longhouse. It was over this site that we later
reconstructed the pole frame-work of a longhouse one foot within the original
post moulds.
Site 3
It
was now noted that the two house sites found, as well as the Wintemberg house
site, radiated from the centre of the village enclosure to the palisade. We
returned to Site 1 and an experimental trench from its walls was dug with the
result that a third longhouse was discovered. It was built according to the
same plan with 4 foot doorways in the centre of each end. As in Site 2 post
holes were found for the poles that upheld the roof and the bunks, and particles
of carbonized bark were evident in sufficient quantities to prove that this
building had been bark covered and had been destroyed by fire.
Sites 4, 5, 7, 18, 22, 25, 27.
After
the establishing of sites 2 and 3 the finding of post moulds continued in a
similar manner until sites were discovered for nineteen longhouses of more or
less the same size and build according to the same plan. They were
approximately 100 feet long and 35 feet wide, all with indications of bunks and
centre supporting poles. All were not covered with bark however, nor were the
doorways always 4 feet in width. These nineteen house sites, as did the first
three, radiated from the centre of the village to the palisade and in each case
there was proof of destruction by fire.
Site 6
94’ x 31’
This
site varied from the others in that it did not radiate from the centre but ran
east and west, paralleling the palisades. The house site was discovered and traced
by Bean Cotter of Kingston, Jamaica, an amateur archaeologist who donated a
month of his vacation to aid in the work at the St. Ignace site. He came to us
well-equipped in experience gained in the excavation of the Arowak Indians in
his home island. His aid and that of his son, John Cotter, a student of the
University of Toronto, was greatly appreciated.
Sites 19, 20, 21.
These
sites were apparently of uncompleted buildings, parts of the walls being
missing. This, added to the fact that some of the nineteen sites described
formerly had shown no evidence of bark covering leads us to the conclusion that
building in the village was still underway at the time of its destruction by
fire.
Site 26
99’ x 60’
On
October 31 a line of post holes was uncovered in the centre of the village
which lead to the tracing of a building 99 feet by 60 feet, that is, twice the
width of any building yet discovered. The longer walls ran north and south and
there was a precision in measurement and construction not generally found.
Openings appeared on the east, west and south sides measuring four feet, and
one in the north wall measured eight feet.
The
area within this site was examined carefully, with the result that several
lines of post moulds came to light obviously marking the position of
partitions. One line crossed the building from east to west at a distance of 20
feet from the south end. Within this southern area were three lines running
north and south with an opening in the first line within the west wall. Between
the other two lines there was a maze of small post moulds. Large deposits of
ashes were found along these lines and the lines of the outside walls
indicating walls and partitions had burned and fallen.
In
the north-west corner of the building indications of a small partitioned area
were discovered. It measured 4 feet by 6 feet and had an opening, or doorway.
Through
the centre of the site were three rows of post holes measuring from 8 to 12
inches in diameter, spaced 6 to 8 feet apart. They mark the position of the
supporting posts of a heavy roof.
Nothing
similar to these characteristics was found in any house site at the St. Ignace
site nor was it an Indian custom to divide houses into rooms.
Four
feet outside the post holes that marked the outside walls of the building, a
second line of post holes, not over 4½ inches in diameter was discovered,
apparently the remnants of a fence with openings opposite those in the
building.
Site
26 varied from the other sites in many ways. The post moulds by which the wells
were traced were much larger than those of any other building in the village.
Obviously the posts along the walls of this building could not be bent to form
the arched roof of an Indian habitation. In several of the post holes, charred
remains of split timber were found, and one contained specimens of a cedar
post. An exceptionally deep stratum of ashes existed throughout the site,
especially. in the south end. We may conclude that considerably more timber had
been used in its construction than in any of the other buildings. We have
already pointed out an exactness in detail not evident in Indian built houses.
A
unique situation existed around five of the post moulds of the supporting posts
(see map) where ash pits ranging from 7 to 12 inches in depth were discovered
below the ploughed surface. In them the ashes were exceptionally hard, as a
result of unusually long burning. Perhaps pine or turpentine had caused these
to bake. It is difficult to give a precise explanation of this condition.
Site 27
47 x 14’
This
small site was the last to be located. It had no line of supporting posts
running up the centre, nor did we find remains of any bunk posts. From the
numerous particles of carbonized bark, it is evident that it had been covered
with a bark.
DRYING SCAFFOLDS
Three
hundred and fifty feet south of Site 2 we found the remains of a drying scaffold,
12 feet by 4 feet. In Indian camps long occupied a number of drying scaffolds
are usually located.
STORAGE PITS
There
were no indications that the Indians had dug storage pits or cellars, further
proof that the site had been occupied for a short time only.
WELL
Water
was located between the inner and outer palisades at a depth of seven feet.
Later it was discovered in the centre of the village, 20 feet from the
north-east corner of Site 26. Here while digging a post hole, we happened on
disturbed earth which after a careful investigation proved to be a well dug
many years ago. The finding of clam shells near the water suggests that it may
have been partly excavated by shells. Water was found at a depth of four feet.
SUMMARY
The
excavation revealed an Indian village site surrounded by a strongly constructed
palisade. To the east a double palisade existed and in the north-west corner, a
double palisade enclosure, a rather large compound which bore no evidence of
buildings. The two main entrances to the village were squared, with lengthly
lane-ways of a construction obviously planned for strong defence as were the
palisade walls with their catwalk or platform.
The
houses in the village numbered twenty-seven and were placed orderly, running
from the centre of the site to the palisade with only two exceptions. They were
almost uniform in size apart from Site 26 and Site 1. In the centre of the
village was an exceptionally large site (26). The drying scaffold was to the
south and the well, twenty feet to the northwest of Site 26.
Obviously
the village was built under European influence. Pre-historic Indian village
sites show no such orderliness in the planning of the longhouses. Prehistoric
longhouses, too, were of half the width of those found here and therefore, were
constructed without centre poles. The cooking fires were in the centre rather
than to the side as in these houses. The number of doorways in the longhouses
on this site and their method of construction is European. Definite European
influence is found in the fact that split timber was used, especially in Site
26, where the walls were split timber throughout. The division of rooms, the
fence, the split timber walls, the door ways, all point to the fact that Site
26 was a purely European building. In the palisades, too, the square corners
and straight lane-ways indicate that the builders were under European
direction. We can say with certainty that the village was not long inhabited
and, in fact, was apparently not completed. In some cases the walls had not
been erected and in others no bark covering had apparently been applied. Only a
small refuge dump was located; nor were any storage pits for food found.
Few
relics were discovered throughout, although time did not permit an intensive
examination within the walls of each building. The relics that were found are
those of a late Huron and Iroquois period. The steel knife blade is European.
The area has long been under cultivation and only below the plough level is it
possible to detect evidence of occupation. From reliable sources, however, we
learned that some fifteen iron axes had been picked up on the site in the past
as well as a large number of stone arrowheads and skinning stones. The fire
pits were shallow on the whole. More evidence of activity was found towards the
south end of the site than in the north. We can conclude too that the young
village was completely destroyed by fire, carbonized remains being in evidence
in all its parts. Particularly large deposits of charred remains indicating
unusual heat were found on Site 26.
Before
leaving the site all the sod that had been removed was replaced and each post
hole was marked with a stake. A master map of the village site was made as well
as individual maps for each building. The relics were marked and catalogued and
are in the possession of the Martyrs’ Shrine at Midland. A daily journal
records the excavation, and a photographic record, as complete as was possible
to make it, is in the possession of the Museum of Indian Archaeology at the
University of Western Ontario. We were, fortunate too in acquiring through the
kind interest of J. R. Robinson, of Ottawa, a series of aerial photographs of
the district showing the reconstructed longhouses, scaffold and position of
palisade.
LIST OF RELICS FOUND AT ST.
IGNACE
1. Wampum beads found at Site 26.
2. Maul found on Site 26.
3. Maul or hammer stone found on Site 26.
4. Maul or hammer stone found on Site 26.
5. Steel knife blade found in west doorway of Site
26.
6. Flint knife found in centre of Site 26.
7. Small hammer stone or war club head found in Site
22.
8. A rubbing stone found in Site 2.
9. Celt, commonly called skinning stone, found on
Site 2.
10. Small hammer stone found on Site 10.
11. Hammer stone found on Site 13. 12. Gaming stone
found on Site 2. 13. Broken gaming stone found on Site 2.
17. Gaming stone found on Site 18.
23. Partly carbonized wood found in post hole found
in Site 26.
24. Eight fragments of pottery found in dump on bank
of Sturgeon River.
DESCRIPTION OF RELICS FOUND
ON SITE
1.
Wampum beads found on Site 26
are typical of those worn by the Iroquois and are found in Indian graves. They
are all fashioned from clam shells.
2.
Maul or hammer stone, found on
Site 26, was undoubtedly used as a war club handle. They resemble the stone
hammers found through. out the Iroquois country.
5.
A steel knife blade found in
the doorway on the south side of Site 26. The blade is five inches in length
and it is similar to knives found on many Huron sites.
8.
The rubbing stone found in Site
2 is of a sandy stone composition, with evidence of much use. The abrasive
nature of the material made this stone an ideal cutting stone for sharpening or
grinding tools.
9.
Celt, found on Site 2, is
commonly called a skinning stone. It has a slight groove running around the
upper end with a battered sharpened edge. This type of stone could be used as a
chisel or axe. Some. times when mounted with a wooden handle, it is termed a
tomahawk.
10.
The hammer atone found on Site
26 was used by men. No doubt it served also as a nutcracker. A slight
depression in the side is probably the result of continued use. These stones
were used to break animal bones.
11.
The chipping stone found in
Site 13 would be used as a smaller hammer. It weighs half a pound and resembles
an egg, showing evidence of use at the small end.
12,
13. Gaming stones found on Site 18. They are about
the size of a croquet ball, very smooth, and bearing evidence of much wear.
24.
The pottery fragments were
found in a dump on the bank of the Sturgeon River, west of Site 10. They are
ornamented with reclecalute design and they have narrow rims. Some of the
pieces have been made of cord and wrapped with twigs. The colour of the ware is
reddish and buff. The plain parts of the pots are smooth. The pottery is
typical of that found in Huron sites of a late period.
SIZE OF BUILDINGS FOUND ON
SITE
Site
1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58’
x 15’
Site
2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104’
x 35’
Site
3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100’
x 28’
Site
4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94’
x 31’
Site
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72’
x 31’ 3”
Site
6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94’
x 31’
Site
7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59’
x 27’
Site
8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95’
x 32’
Site
9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93’
x 28’
Site
10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72’
x 25’
Site
11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72’
x 30’'
Site
12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80’
x 26’
Site
13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94’
x 24’
Site
14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96’
x 33’
Site
15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109’
x 33’
Site
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92’
x 36’
Site
17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93’
x 29’
Site
18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79’
x 30’
Site
19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . one
side wall
Site
20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . two
side walls
Site
21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .two side walls and end
Site
22
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100’
x 32’
Site
23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6’
x 27’
Site
24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109’
x 29’
Site
25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90’
x 25’
Site
26
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99’
x 60’
Site
27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
x 14’
It
will be noted that all buildings are approximately 100’ and average about 30’
in width.