Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples. . , Researchers have recently excavated evidence of Indigenous campsites in this area. These finds were to be expected as the Nine Mile Portage route was heavily used by Indigenous peoples before the arrival of Europeans, and Indigenous allies of the British would have likely camped near Fort Willow during its use. Stains in the soil, called postmoulds, are all that remain from the temporary campsites occupied by Indigenous peoples as they passed through the area. , The bulk of the Indigenous artifacts have been found in layers, or “strata,” beneath the layers associated with the War of 18 12. Interestingly, no complete stone tools have been recovered. Some Indigenous artifacts date to after the arrival of Europeans to the New World. These are often trade items that were purely decorative, including coloured glass beads and silver goods. , [photo captions] , . Decorative items, traded with Europeans, were common and included earrings and tinkling cones. These cones were worn in large numbers on clothing so that they 'tinkled' when they clinked together. , . Other trade items were of a more practical nature. Indigenous people would often trade for copper kettles, which could be cut up and used as simple tools, like the copper 'punch' pictured here, perhaps used for leatherwork. , . Pottery, used to carry water or food, were often decorated with impressed designs. These shards are from pottery used between 1300 to 1400 AD, dating them to prior to European contact. They also correspond to two known Iroquoian villages near the fort.