Tuesday 17 January 2012

POSTGLACIAL CARIBOU HUNTERS

PALAEO-INDIAN PERIOD

Ten thousand years ago, the landscape of North-Central Ontario was far different from today. The Wisconsin glacier still covered the northern part of the province as far south as Lake Nipigon, and a large glacial lake, Minong, filled the Lake Superior basin. A second glacial lake, Lake Agassiz, inundated a large area from Atikokan west into Manitoba. Along the ice margins were expanses of open park land and tundra- like vegetation. Caribou and other species now found only in the far north ranged across the region.


 
From The Archaeology of North Central Ontario : Prehistoric Cultures
North of Superior
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport



Late Palaeo-Indian people of the Plano Culture appear to have entered the Thunder Bay area from the  south and west about 7000 BC. Unfortunately, little is known of these early people. Their campsites were located on the ancient strand lines of the glacial lakes, now many kilometres inland from the present shore. Their tool kit includes distinctive lanceolate points and large stone knives. It would appear that the Plano people were primarily hunters of large game, probably caribou, which they intercepted at crossing places on the shores of Lake Minong.

With the recession of the continental glacier came lowering lake levels, and the northward migration of the plant and animal communities upon which the Palaeo-Indians depended for their existence. This resulted in the decline of the caribou-hunting life style in the Lake Superior region about 5000BC.

 Courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

1 comment:

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    Caribou Hunting & Muskox hunting

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