Black Lake was occupied on a discontinuous basis from approximately 6000 B.C. to the historic period by cultures originating from a number of different physiographic zones. An economical model outlines the historic and late prehistoric dependance of the Chipewyan on the barren ground caribou herds.

An archaeological survey of Calling Lake, situated in the mixed wood forest zone approximately 225 km north of Edmonton, found an abundance of prehistoric material at sites on the east and southeast shore. Four prehistoric campsites were excavated in three field seasons from l966 to 1968. Comparison of projectile point styles with types dated elsewhere suggest that occupation of two of the sites began in the interval 3000 to 1000 B.C. with major occupation of the other two sites starting somewhat later. Cultural affiliations appear to be with the Taltheilei tradition and earlier, with the Plains area.

Excavations in 1971 and 1972 reveal two major occupation levels at the Estuary Bison Pound site, located near the head of a large coulee on the south bank of the South Saskatchewan River, just below its confluence with the Red Deer River. They present strong evidence to suggest that the Old Women’s phase developed from the Avonlea phase.

Archaeological investigation of two small house-pit sites located at Hahanudan Lake near the village of Huslia in the Koyukuk River drainage of western interior Alaska has produced lithic assemblages with Norton and Ipiutak culture characteristics. Radiocarbon dating indicates that cross ties are with the latter. This work expands the previously inland range of Ipiutak culture which is known primarily from coastal sites in northwestern Alaska.

Excavations at three Ocean Bay culture sites at Ocean Bay and on Afognak Island bordering the Gulf of Alaska extend time depth to circa 4000 B.C. and gave a new technological dimension to a sub-area of the North Pacific where the previously known sequence had for 3,000 years emphasised ground slate technology.

Ten Thule house ruins were excavated during 1968 and 1969 at Silumiut, Kamarvik, and Igluligardjuk, major winter settlements along Roes Welcome Sound and northwestern Hudson Bay. Radiocarbon dating places the occupation of these sites at the end of the twelveth century A.D. This work expands Mathiassen’s original investigation of Thule culture southward from Repulse Bay.