Archaeological Sites and Artifacts at Kamestastin
Since 1998 Tshikapisk has been working with the Arctic Studies Center of the Smithsonian Institution to better understand the ancient history of the Kamestastin region. In the years since the start of this work Innu students and Tshikapisk volunteers working closely with ASC's Stephen Loring have revealed a rich history going back to at least 7,200 years before the present. This human history is entwined with that of the great herds of caribou on which the Mushuau Innu have always depended economically, culturally and spiritually.
Biface of Ramah Chert at deflated hearths, Kamestastin north shore. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
The Pess site of the Tshumushumapeu complex at Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Two fitted fragments of a biface of dark Ramah Chert, Nukash site, Kamestastin north shore. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Fragment of green ground slate ulu or bayonet, "Maritime Archaic" from Natakameimupan Complex, Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
The "Jack Selma" caribou spear point made of local white quartzite, dated to approx 7,200 yrs ago or earlier, Tshumushumapeu Complex, Kamestastin. Photo: Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian Institution |
Fractured base of caribou spear point made of dark grey chert, approx.7000 yrs old: from the Pess site, Tshumushumapeu Complex. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Knife of banded chert, from the one small Dorset/Tunit site discovered at Kamestastin during the summer of 2005. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Knife of Ramah Chert , Skuatuapmakan site, Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Caribou spear point of dark grey chert , north side of Kamestastin narrows dated approx 7,200 years old. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Richard Nuna holds large stone pestle found at 5000 year old site at Mistanipishipis, Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Matnueuiskueu Site - nineteenth century Innu site overlaying pre-contact Innu site dated at approx 1100 yrs old. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Deflated hearth with Ramah Chert and Quartz debitage , north shore Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Caribou spear point of Ramah Chert dated around 5000 years B.P., "Maritime Archaic" period of Innu history, from Kanahastkuanikanist near Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Caribou spear point of interior "chocolate " coloured chert, "Intermediate" period of Innu pre-contact history, dated approx. 2500 yrs before the present, Kamestastin north shore. Photo: Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian Institution |
Mitshikuan blade (caribou skin scraper) of Ramah Chert from excavated 5000 year old Innu ancestral site at Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
The "Punas Rich" corner notched caribou spear point from north of Kamestastin Ekupitats - made of unusual green Ramah Chert like material, "Point Revenge" period of pre-contact Innu history. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Celt or stone bit for woodworking tool, "Maritime Archaic" period of Innu history, Tshumushumapeu Complex, Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Miniature biface/projectile point of Ramah Chert : Tshumushumapeu Complex, Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Tshipeish astatshikuan - boulder pit cache site on south shore of Kamestastin. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |
Shustin Rich with ground slate stone axe head at Kamestastin, May 2002. Photo: Anthony Jenkinson |