Monitoring - Cultural Resources

Aulavik Cultural Resources Monitoring

Rationale

A topsail yard at M’Clure’s Cache. © Parks Canada

Monitoring cultural sites helps to ensure that 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 3 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.
• 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.
• Muskox skulls are counted in 5 circular plots.

Results

Nasogaluak Cultural Site:

• The site was visited on July 3, 2003.
• Two skulls beside a cache had been moved and a rib added to the same cache. The skulls were returned to their original position.
• Photographs indicate that there have not been any significant changes to the site since 1997.

M'Clure's Cache Cultural Site:

• The site was visited on July 20, 2003.
• Counts of barrel parts have been inconsistent between years. Methods used to count barrel parts are being reviewed.
• Disturbances to the coal mound and one boot sole were noted.
• Disturbance to artifacts identified during monitoring appear to be caused by environmental factors (e.g. weather, erosion) and wildlife.

Christine Aikens and Ian McDonald examining artefacts at Head Hill. © Parks Canada

Head Hill Cultural Site:

• The site was visited on July 8, 2003.
• One muskoxen skull had been moved. The skull was also moved in 2002. The skull was returned to its original location.
• Photographs indicate that there have not been any significant changes to the site since 1997.

Years of Data

• Nasogaluak: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002
• M’Clure’s Cache: 1997, 2000
• Head Hill: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002

Funding

• Parks Canada

Data Location

• Parks Canada, Inuvik

Contacts

Cathy Cockney
Cultural Resource Management Officer
Parks Canada Agency
P.O. Box 1840
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-8803
Fax: (867) 777-8820
Cathy.Cockney@pc.gc.ca

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