Sheguiandah

Coordinates: 45°54′36″N 81°55′30″W / 45.91°N 81.925°W

Sheguiandah is a Paleo-Indian archaeological site on the northeastern shore of Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin District, Ontario, Canada. It was originally discovered in 1951 by Thomas E. Lee, who in the course of surface collections found artifacts indicating the site was ancient. ^[1] He led excavation teams for the next four years. Based on the numerous artifacts they found, he estimated the earliest occupation date of about 30,000 years BP. He noted there were Paleo-Indian and Archaic artifacts, primarily scrapers and blades, dating to about 12,000 BP. Public interest in the finds was so high that it contributed to passage of legislation in 1953 to protect archeological sites in Ontario.^[2]

The site was studied later by other teams of specialists. In 1992 archeologist Peter L. Storck and geologist Patrick Julig led a team doing additional excavations. Drawing on new material from botany and related disciplines, they concluded that a more conservative estimate of age was justified. They estimated the site was almost certainly occupied 9,500 years BP by Paleo-Indians, making it still highly significant in North American archaeology and the archaeology of Ontario. They also said that more research needed to be done.^[3]

The site was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1954.^[4][5]

References

1. Lee, Thomas E. (1954). "The First Sheguiandah Expedition, Manitoulin Island, Ontario", American Antiquity 20:2, p. 101, accessed 13 Apr 2010
2. Lee, Thomas E. (1955). "The Second Sheguiandah Expedition, Manitoulin Island, Ontario", American Antiquity 21:1, p. 63, accessed 13 Apr 2010
3. Patrick Julig and Peter Storck, Chapters 4 and 5, The Sheguiandah Site: Archaeological, Geological and Paleobotanical Studies at a Paleoindian Site on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, ed. Patrick Julig (2002), Toronto: Canadian Museum of Civilization. ISBN 0-660-18755-8
4. Sheguiandah
5. Sheguiandah. Canadian Register of Historic Places.