Field journal by Brandon University Archaeology field school student Erin Platt. Journal contains information about excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather.
The Atkinson site was named for the landowners Ken and Karen Atkinson who were very helpful to the archaeology and geoarchaeology crews that worked at the site. Their support made the project possible.
The Atkinson site story begins with the discovery of a charcoal lens eroding from the north bank of the Souris River in the summer of 2002. Study of Cultural Adaptations on the Prairie Ecozone (SCAPE) project geoarchaeologist Dr. Garry Running was exploring the stratigraphic layering in the bank when he noted the lens and reported it to Dr. Bev Nicholson. Upon closer examination, a tiny pressure flake was observed on the lens exposure and it was decided to collect a charcoal sample for radiocarbon dating.
The resulting date of 5250B.P cal. 4225 B.C. placed the site in the early Archaic period. A second date on bone collagen of 5580B.P. cal. 4500 B.C. confirmed the earlier date and gave an averaged date of circa 4400 B.C or 6,500 years ago.
The Atkinson site is one of the oldest excavated sites in Manitoba. Based on the date of the site and the kind of lithics (stone tools) present it is considered a Gowen occupation. The Atkinson site is evidence that bison hunters were active on the northern plains at a very early date. Similar sites have also been found on the High Plains in the U.S. and are referred to as the Mummy Cave Complex.
The Atkinson Site is of great importance as it is the first undisturbed site of this type to be excavated in Manitoba and extends the range of these sites south and east from the type-sites in central Saskatchewan. Based on the date and sample evidence further excavations were conducted by Dr. Nicholson's team. in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Scope and Content
Sub series has been divided into three sub sub series including: (1) Atkinson 2003, (2) Atkinson 2004; (3) Atkinson 2006
Field journal by Brandon University Archaeology field school instructor Denise Ens of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather.
Field journal by Brandon University Archaeology field school assistant James Graham of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather.
In 2003 Units 1 to 9 were excavated at the Sarah site by supervisor James Graham and crew of Sarah Graham, Mike Evans, Todd Kristensen, Shayne Kolesar, Lisa Sonnenburg and Emily Ansell.
Excavations took place in 2003 at Crepeele West (Units 1-5) and Crepeele East (Units 6-9). The site was subsequently renamed the Sarah site DiMe-28. James Graham's field journal contains notes on the Casselman survey and Crepeele 2003 as well as the Sarah site 2003.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
The Sarah site was initially chosen for excavation based on the results of the Casselman survey. The survey recovered significant amounts of faunal remains, some ceramics and lithics from the test pits. Excavations took place in 2003 at the Sarah site DiMe-28.
In 2004 further excavation took place as part of a Brandon University Archaeology Field School. Units 10 to 18 were excavated with Denise Ens as the instructor and James Graham teaching assistant.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
IThe Sarah site was initially chosen for excavation based on the results of the Casselman survey. The survey recovered significant amounts of faunal remains, some ceramics and lithics from the test pits. Excavations took place in 2003 at the Sarah site DiMe-28.
In 2004 further excavation took place as part of a Brandon University Archaeology Field School. Units 10 to 18 were excavated with Denise Ens as the instructor and James Graham teaching assistant.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by the instructor.
The Sarah site was initially chosen for excavation based on the results of the Casselman survey. The survey recovered significant amounts of faunal remains, some ceramics and lithics from the test pits. Excavations took place in 2003 at the Sarah site DiMe-28.
In 2004 further excavation took place as part of a Brandon University Archaeology Field School. Units 10 to 18 were excavated with Denise Ens as the instructor and James Graham teaching assistant.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by a crew member.
In 2003 Units 1 to 9 were excavated at the Sarah site by supervisor James Graham and crew of Sarah Graham, Mike Evans, Todd Kristensen, Shayne Kolesar, Lisa Sonnenburg and Emily Ansell.
Excavations took place in 2003 at Crepeele West (Units 1-5) and Crepeele East (Units 6-9). The site was subsequently renamed the Sarah site DiMe-28. Sarah Graham's field journal contains notes on the Casselman survey and Crepeele 2003 as well as the Sarah site 2003.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
In 2003 Units 1 to 9 were excavated at the Sarah site by supervisor James Graham and crew of Sarah Graham, Mike Evans, Todd Kristensen, Shayne Kolesar, Lisa Sonnenburg and Emily Ansell.
Excavations took place in 2003 at Crepeele West (Units 1-5) and Crepeele East (Units 6-9). The site was subsequently renamed the Sarah site DiMe-28. Sarah Graham's field journal contains notes on the Casselman survey and Crepeele 2003 as well as the Sarah site 2003.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files.
History / Biographical
In 2008 Brandon University Archaeology returned to the Crepeele locale to conduct further testing at the Graham and Crepeele sites. Four units (XU 47-49 & 53) were excavated at Graham 2008 in order to collect samples and add further data to previous excavations. The usual excavation methology was employed.
The small crew was directed by Bev Nicholson with Crew of Bill Foy, Andrew Lints & Kim Harrison
Recoveries included faunal (mostly bison), lithics and ceramics.
The field journals contain information about both the Crepeele and Graham sites 2008.
Scope and Content
Record of daily observations at the site including: excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather.
In 2005 the Brandon University Field School was held at the Crepeele site in the Crepeele locale.
Denise Ens instructed the school and James Graham was teaching assistant. Field journals were kept by both instructors.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
