False Bay Artifacts

This collection of artifacts primarily comes from beach middens in False Bay.  The one notable exception is the large spear point (B) that was found in a garden about 10 m above sea level and about 70 meters back from the shore.  This is only of a handful of old style points found on Lasqueti -- alll of which were recovered in similar contexts.  Of this one, Roy Carlson, professor emeritus in the Archaeology from Simon Fraser University, says, "The earliest known point of this type on the coast comes from an excavation in Saltery Bay dated to around 6000 years ago.  It is also the  most common at the Helen Point site [Mayne Island] in levels dating between 5400 and 3500 BP. "

The three spear points in the photo (A,C,E) were found on the beach and are very waterworn.

Artifact D is the "working end" of a nephrite ("BC jade") chisel, used for woodworking. It was probably hafted in a wooden handle.  Nephrite is a highly valued stone because it was hard and durable and also kept a sharp working edge.  The closest source of nephrite is the upper Fraser Valley.  Woodworking in general, and nephrite tools in particular, are a sign of high status. These tools are characteristic of sites 2400 years old and younger.  Metal blades quickly replaced nephrite adze and chisel blades after contact with Europeans.

Arfiact F is an worked piece of sandstone.  This may be have been used as an "abrader" for making bone and ground slate tools.  Note the grooves in it.