Abstract
Prehistoric Village Site, Ontario THE Lawson prehistoric village site, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada, had already suffered severely from amateur collectors when it was explored by W. J. Wintemberg during 1921-23, but with the addition of scientifically valuable evidence from private collections it has been possible to reconstruct a picture of the material culture of the inhabitants (Bull. 94, Anthrop. Series, 25, Nat. Mus. Canada; 1940). The territory in which the fort is situated is known to have been inhabited by the Neutral Indians of Iroquoian linguistic stock. Probably it had been inhabited long before traders penetrated the region. The site is surrounded by slopes steep on north and south sides, elsewhere less steep. The village probably lay at the east end. Along the north side flows the Medway, a navigable stream, and on the south, Snake Creek, and there is a spring on the west end of the site. Refuse deposits and pits, in groups, of unknown purpose have been found; and there are eleven fireplaces, some round, others oval. The site is strategically important. The east and west ends alone were vulnerable and had to be protected by earthworks. Post-holes for palisades were found along the north and south sides of the site, in places in four rows. The houses were probably like the bark-covered cabins of the Hurons, 2-40 fathoms long and about 4 fathoms wide, and of the same height. Post-holes of small, nearly round habitations, 8-9 ft. in diameter, were found. In the evidence of foodstuffs, animal remains were more numerous than plant remains, but probably both were used in about equal amounts. About 11,000 animal bones were found, including those of mammals, birds, turtles and amphibians, as well as shells of land and freshwater molluscs. About one hundred fish bones were secured. Certain artefacts, animal bones and vegetable products indicate hunting, fishing and agriculture as modes of subsistence. About 14,000 potsherds were found, none, however, permitting reconstruction. Tools consisted of axes, adzes and chisels of stone, antler and teeth, whetstones, rubbers, scrapers, flaking tools, points and hammer stones.
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Research Items. Nature 146, 101–103 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146101a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/146101a0