Aulavik Cultural Resources Monitoring
Rationale
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| A cache at Nasogaluak Cultural Site. |
Monitoring cultural sites helps to ensure the sites are protected and the important artifacts they may contain are not damaged or lost. Nasogaluak, M'Clure's Cache and Head Hill are three large cultural sites in Aulavik National Park. Nasogaluak cultural site consists of approximately 100 stone structures including tent rings, caches, akatut (areas paved with large, flat slabs of stone) and wind breaks. The M’Clure's Cache site has the remains of a cache built by Robert M’Clure and his crew when they wintered in Mercy Bay from 1851 to 1853. The Head Hill site consists of at least 43 identifiable features, including tent rings and hearths, and the remains of an estimated 800-1000 muskoxen. These sites are monitored to identify threats to the sites, to determine if the sites have changed and to recommend measures for protecting the sites.
Objectives
- To identify impacts to the cultural resources at Nasogaluak, M'Clure's Cache and Head Hill cultural sites.
- To monitor changes to these cultural sites.
- To recommend measures to protect these cultural sites.
Methods and Information Collected
Nasogaluak Cultural Site:
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The Nasogaluak cultural site is located on the east bank of the Thomsen River
approximately 8 km south of Green Cabin. The site is monitored every year
during routine park patrols.
- Seven photographs are taken of specific features from designated photopoints.
- Measurements are taken to determine if items at the site have been moved.
- Fragments of grey quartz sandstone are counted.
M’Clure’s Cache Cultural Site:
- M’Clure’s Cache cultural site is located along the western shore of Mercy Bay. The site is monitored every 2-3 years during routine park patrols.
- Photographs are taken at 9 photopoints. These photos are compared with existing photos of the site to determine if there are any major changes to the artifacts and to the overall site.
- Barrel parts are counted in three areas.
- The condition of 3 selected artifacts is described.
Head Hill Cultural Site:
- The Head Hill cultural site is located at the junction of the Muskox and Thomsen rivers. The site is monitored every year during routine park patrols.
- Photographs are taken from 5 photopoints to determine if the site has changed.
- The distance from reference points to artifacts is measured to determine if the artifacts have been moved.
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A count of muskoxen skulls is conducted.
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| Muskoxen remains at Head Hill Cultural Site. |
Terry Skjonsberg, Ian McDonald and Eugene Green counting lithic fragments
at Nasogaluak Cultural Site. |
Years of Data
Nasogaluak: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002
M’Clure’s Cache: 1997, 2000
Head Hill: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002
Results
Nasogaluak Cultural Site:
The site was visited on June 26, 2002.
Photographs indicate that there have not been any significant changes to
the site since 1997.
Measurements indicate that one item at the site had been moved. It was
replaced in its original location. Other items had not been moved.
M’Clure’s Cache Cultural Site:
The site was not monitored in 2001 or 2002.
Counts of barrel parts have been inconsistent between years. Methods used
to count barrel parts need to be reviewed.
The condition of 3 artifacts that are monitored have not changed since
1997.
Head Hill Cultural Site:
The site was visited on August 4, 2002.
Two animal bone parts had been moved when comparing pictures from known
photopoints. Wild animals or people may have moved these bones. The two animal
bone parts were returned to their original positions.
The technique of counting muskoxen skulls was altered. A more accurate
sample count will be used rather than a total count.
Contacts
Cathy Cockney
Cultural Resource Management Officer
Parks Canada
P.O. Box 1840
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-8803
Fax: (867) 777-8820
Cathy.Cockney@pc.gc.ca