archaeology — ARCHAEOLOGY BLOG

Green Bead

While out walking the eroded shoreline of a known archaeological site I discovered a green tubular shaped object.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopDecember 17, 2023archaeology, Boreal forest Lac Seul

Encrustations

In some instances, carbonized food encrustations are preserved on pottery surfaces.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopSeptember 30, 2022archaeology, Boreal forest Lac Seul

Grooved Gouge

I was instantly both amazed and exhilarated as I examined the highly polished artifact that I held in my hand.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopAugust 22, 2022archaeology

The Mystery Bag

As I got closer I could see that it was a waterlogged canvas satchel heavily encrusted with dirt and clay. A mystery bag!

BlogsBradley HyslopJuly 12, 2022vesselquesting, archaeology

A Possible Stratified Hearth within the Eroded Shoreline

Therefore, the unearthing of a fairly intact hearth feature within an eroded shoreline was even more amazing because it appears to have distinct layers!

BlogsBradley HyslopMay 20, 2022vesselquesting, archaeology

Bone Needle

This artifact has been identified fragment of a bone tool made from a moose vestigial metarsal.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopFebruary 4, 2022archaeology

Copper Adze

This artifact has been identified as a copper adze of some antiquity.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopFebruary 2, 2022archaeology

Shell Fossil

Ancient fossilized shell embedded within HBL chert.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopDecember 30, 2021archaeology, Boreal forest Lac Seul

Pottery Decoration Tool

A dentate stamp design is created by using this pottery decoration tool.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopDecember 28, 2021archaeology

Copper Bracelet

This artifact appears to be a decorative adornment made from a repurposed copper kettle.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopDecember 27, 2021archaeology

Point to the Sky Biface

This biface was discovered in place as shown in the picture.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopDecember 26, 2021archaeology

Copper Encased in Clay

A light green colour was exposed indicating that an oxidized copper item was encased beneath the veneer of hardened clay.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopDecember 7, 2021archaeology

Sandy Lake Ware with Crenulated Rim

The clay along the top portion of this vessel has been intentionally clipped out to produce a wavy zig-zag lip form referred to as crenulated.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopNovember 18, 2021archaeology

Pottery Disc

This artifact was surface collected from the beach sands of an eroded shoreline and, although the item is a broken piece of pottery made from firing tempered clay, it is unlikely to have been part of a clay pot.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopNovember 18, 2021archaeology

Zoomorphic Atlatl Weight

This artifact has been identified as an elongated atlatl weight with what appears to be an animal face carved into one end.

Cool DiscoveriesBradley HyslopNovember 18, 2021archaeology

A Bucket of Bifaces

In early May of 2006 I was on a spring expedition surveying various sections of the shoreline around Lac Seul. At this time of year the water temperatures are very cold and the weather can be extremely volatile. Cruising around the lake and sleeping in a tent well out of reach of a cell signal is not for the faint of heart.

BlogsBradley HyslopOctober 31, 2021vesselquesting, archaeology

A Fall in the Fall

In early September of 2014 my friend and anthropology lab technician at Lakehead University, Clarence Surette, had driven from Thunder Bay to help me dig interior test pits on my research site.

BlogsBradley HyslopOctober 31, 2021vesselquesting, archaeology

Archaeology and Vesselquesting

In other words, my archaeological Holy Grail would be to find a complete vessel (pot). My specific and ongoing “quest” for the complete “vessel” eventually was referred to (and not affectionately) by my wife as, the vesselquest.

BlogsBradley HyslopOctober 31, 2021vesselquesting, archaeology