Toronto Chapter - The Unexpected Finds at AhHa-317, a Late Woodland Habitation Site in Hamilton, Ontario

Speakers: Rhiannon Fisher, M.Sc., RPA, Archaeologist, Golder Associates and Carla Parslow, Ph.D., Senior Archaeologist, Golder Associates

Topic: The Unexpected Finds at AhHa-317, a Late Woodland Habitation Site in Hamilton, Ontario

AhHa-317 has been interpreted as a cabin site or special use site with a Late Woodland Attawandaron (Neutral) Iroquoian affiliation. Preliminary analysis of the pre-colonial Indigenous assemblage revealed a large amount of chipping detritus, projectile points and other lithic tools indicative of hunting activities related to food acquisition. Pottery, including decorated pieces, dated the assemblage to c. 1400 - 1600. While this artifact assemblage is typical of Woodland sites in the area, the significant number of artifacts related to fishing, such as a bone harpoon, netsinker, and fish scales, is distinctive. A phallic stone, possibly an effigy used as a pestle, is an exceptional find. This talk explores the frequency and relationship of fishing instruments to other artifacts found on Late Woodland sites within the region, including sites of the Grand River Valley. This talk also explores possible uses for the phallic effigy recovered during excavation.

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