Sheguiandah
Encyclopedia
Sheguiandah is a notable Paleo-Indian archaeological site on the northeastern shore of Manitoulin Island
, Manitoulin District
, Ontario
. It was originally discovered in 1951 by Thomas E. Lee
, who led excavation teams for the next four years. He estimated the earliest occupation date of about 30 000 years BP
, as well as noting Paleo-Indian and Archaic artifacts dating to about 10,000 BCE. Public interest in the finds was so high that it contributed to passage of legislation in 1953 to protect archeological sites in Ontario.
The site was studied later by other teams of specialists. In 1992 the archeologist Peter L. Storck and geologist
Patrick Julig led a team doing additional excavations. Drawing as well on new material from botany and related disciplines, they concluded that a more conservative estimate was justified. They estimated the site was almost certainly occupied 9 500 years BP by Paleo-Indians, making it significant in North American and especially the archaeology of Ontario. They also said that more research needed to be done.
The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1954.
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is a Canadian island in Lake Huron, in the province of Ontario. It is the largest island in a freshwater lake in the world. In addition to the historic Anishinaabe and European settlement of the island, archeological discoveries at Sheguiandah have demonstrated Paleo-Indian and...
, Manitoulin District
Manitoulin District, Ontario
Manitoulin District is a district in Northeastern Ontario within the Canadian province of Ontario. It was created in 1888 from part of Algoma District. The district seat is Gore Bay....
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was originally discovered in 1951 by Thomas E. Lee
Thomas E. Lee
Thomas Edward Lee was an archaeologist for the National Museum of Canada in the 1950s and discovered Sheguiandah on Manitoulin Island. Public interest in the find contributed to passage in Ontario of a bill to protect archeological sites...
, who led excavation teams for the next four years. He estimated the earliest occupation date of about 30 000 years BP
Before Present
Before Present years is a time scale used in archaeology, geology, and other scientific disciplines to specify when events in the past occurred. Because the "present" time changes, standard practice is to use AD 1950 as the origin of the age scale, reflecting the fact that radiocarbon...
, as well as noting Paleo-Indian and Archaic artifacts dating to about 10,000 BCE. Public interest in the finds was so high that it contributed to passage of legislation in 1953 to protect archeological sites in Ontario.
The site was studied later by other teams of specialists. In 1992 the archeologist Peter L. Storck and geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
Patrick Julig led a team doing additional excavations. Drawing as well on new material from botany and related disciplines, they concluded that a more conservative estimate was justified. They estimated the site was almost certainly occupied 9 500 years BP by Paleo-Indians, making it significant in North American and especially the archaeology of Ontario. They also said that more research needed to be done.
The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1954.