The Native History of the Regional Municipality of Halton and the Town of Oakville: Part II

Archaic (8000 - 1000 BC)
The time span from 10,000 to 3,000 years ago is referred to collectively as the Archaic Period. The occupants of southern Ontario throughout this period were migratory people living in smaller territories than during the Paleo-Indian period, possibly living within single watersheds. These peoples appear to have subsisted as hunters, gatherers and fishers, depending on what was available during each season and in each area. Sites from this period are found literally all over the landscape, indicating the broad nature of their resource base. It is believed that many sites may be found under the current water levels of Lake Ontario because of lower water levels in the past. Archaic sites are most commonly dated on the basis of the style of projectile point, because these styles appear to have come into and out of fashion fairly regularly, although archaeologists do not fully understand why.

There are 128 Archaic components recorded in Halton; this large number reflects the 7,000 year time span of the Archaic. For some unkown reason, Archaic sites are heavily clustered in the lower Bronte Creek drainage basin. The cluster in Burlington is most likely a result of denser than usual survey coverage because of urban expansion. Several sites dating to the Archaic Period have recently been found in Oakville. During the fall of 1998, archaeologists working in advance of the construction of Highway 407, just over one kilometre north of Highway 5, excavated two sites on terraces of Bronte Creek. The most common occupations found at these sites dated between approximately 10,000 and 8,000 years ago, but some occupations appear to have been as recent as 3,000 years ago.

Towards the end of the Archaic period, there is evidence that groups became more closely identified with specific territories. This evidence consists of defined cemetery areas that often have evidence of elaborate burial ceremonialism and long distance trade of exotic items. This burial ceremonialism continues until approximately 1500 years ago with the construction of burial mounds including the Serpent Mounds found near Peterborough.

Woodland (1000 BC - AD 500)
The Archaic Period was followed by the Woodland Period (1000 BC to AD 1650). Many changes and transitions in native culture occurred during this period. The first of these is the introduction of pottery manufacture. The earliest pottery appears in southern Ontario around 3000 years ago; the knowledge of pottery was mostly likely imported from the southeastern United States. The next major transition was the introduction of maize cultivation at c. AD 500. The Woodland Period is divided into Early (1000-400 BC), Middle (400 BC - AD 500) and Late (AD 500-1650) sub-periods. There are 70 Woodland components registered in Halton, of which only 49 can be given a further designation of Early, Middle, or Late Woodland. Communities during the Early and Middle Woodland remained focused on food foraging, and were organized at the band level. Except for the use of pottery, the lifeways of Early and Middle Woodland peoples were very similar to those of the preceding Archaic. Elaborate burial ceremonialism continued until the advent of the Late Woodland. There are 13 Early Woodland components in Halton, but only 2 Middle Woodland components. Why this difference in numbers occurs is unknown. All of the sites are within 20 km. of Lake Ontario, showing that the Early and Middle Woodland subsistence systems were oriented toward the lower reaches of the major drainage basins and the lake shore.

Ontario, 1990

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