Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2)
River Bend South
Part of Lots 49 and 50, Concession B
Geo. Township of Westminster, now City of London
Middlesex County, Ontario
Submitted to
Sifton Properties Ltd.
195 Dufferin Avenue, Suite 410, London, ON N6A 1K7
Tel: (519) 434-1000 Fax: (519) 434-1009
and
Ontario Ministry of Culture
Prepared by
ARCHAEOLOGIX INC.
14 Oxford Street West, London, ON N6H 1P9
Tel: (519) 642-7836 Fax: (519) 642-7733
Archaeological License Number P001
CIF # P001-434-2008
Corporate Project Number 2008-036
June 2008
ii
Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Table of Contents
Personnel
Acknowledgments
Project Summary
iii
iii
iv
1.0
PURPOSE
1
2.0
STUDY METHODS
3
2.1
2.2
3
3
3.0
RESULTS
5
3.1
5
5
5
6
8
3.2
4.0
Stage 1 Background Research
Stage 2 Field Assessment Methods
Stage 1 Background Research
3.1.1 Natural Environment
3.1.2. Pre-Contact Aboriginal Archaeological Resources and Potential
3.1.3 Potential for Historic Archaeological Sites
Stage 2 Field Assessment Results
RECOMMENDATIONS
29
References Cited
30
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Personnel
Project Coordinator
Jim Wilson, M.A.
Report Production
Tracie Carmichael, B.A., B.Ed.
Jeffrey Muir, B.A.
Field Directors
Arthur Figura, M.A.
Field/Office Assistants
Courtney Adams, B.A.
Brad Anderson, B.A.
Cassandra Duckworth-Robb
Jessica Figura
Chris Gervais
Kevin Gohm
Amanda Hardman
Alex Hernould
Cara Hernould
Bear John
Kurt Kostuk
Courtney Merner, B.A.
Aaron Robb
Sean Thomson
Scott van Raay, B.A.
Acknowledgments
The completion of this report was facilitated by the assistance of the following
individuals:
•
Maureen Zunti, Planner, Sifton Properties Limited, London.
•
Rob Von Bitter, Archaeological Data Coordinator, Archaeology Unit, Heritage
Branch, Ontario Ministry of Culture, Toronto.
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Project Summary
An archaeological assessment (Stages 1 & 2) was conducted for a 61.1 hectare
property located on part of Lots 49 and 50, Concession B, Geographic Township of
Westminster, now City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario. This assessment was
undertaken in order to meet the requirements of a standard condition of development
approval.
The study area consists primarily of ploughed agricultural fields with lesser areas
of overgrown woodlot, orchard and manicured lawn. An area of previous disturbance
associated with a house and out buildings is also located within the study limits. The
Stage 2 assessment of the ploughed fields were conducted by the standard pedestrian
survey method at an interval of five metres and the Stage 2 assessment of the wooded
areas, the orchard and the manicured lawn was conducted by the standard shovel test pit
method, also at an interval of five metres. All areas that were not disturbed were subject
to the Stage 2 archaeological field assessment.
The Stage 2 archaeological assessment resulted in the identification of eleven
archaeological sites, including eight pre-contact Aboriginal sites (Locations 1, 2 and 4 to
9) and three 19th century Euro-Canadian sites (Locations 3, 10 and 11). Due to the small
amount of material recovered from six of the pre-contact Aboriginal sites, their
significance and information potential was judged to be low and no further archaeological
work is recommended for Locations 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Due to the probable significance
and information potential of the remaining two pre-contact Aboriginal sites, AfHi-346
and AfHi-348 (Locations 1 and 5) it is recommended that they be subject to additional
Stage 3 assessment in advance of any development activities. Due to the fact that two of
the Euro-Canadian locations AfHi-347 and AfHi-350 (Locations 3 and 11) produced
artifacts primarily dating to the early to mid part of the 19th century further Stage 3
assessment is recommended for both sites. The third Euro-Canadian site, AfHi-349
(Location 10) consists of primarily late 19th century artifacts, however due to the
inclusion of early 19th century artifacts at this location, a precautionary Stage 3
assessment is recommended.
The Stage 1-2 archaeological assessment was conducted in order to fulfill a
standard condition of development approval, as imposed by the province of Ontario. The
Ontario Ministry of Culture is asked to review the findings presented in this report and
issue a standard letter of concurrence with the results presented. As additional Stage 3
archaeological fieldwork is recommended, a letter of clearance for the subject property is
not requested at this time.
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Archaeologix Inc.
Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2)
River Bend South
Part of Lots 49 and 50, Concession B
Geo. Township of Westminster, now City of London
Middlesex County, Ontario
1.0
PURPOSE
An archaeological assessment (Stages 1 & 2) was conducted for a 61.1 hectare
property located on part of Lots 49 and 50, Concession B, Geographic Township of
Westminster, now City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario. This assessment was
undertaken in order to meet the requirements of a standard condition of development
approval.
The Stage 2 field assessment was conducted on May 2nd, 16th, 21st and 23rd, 2008
under archaeological consulting licence P001, issued to Jim Wilson by the Ministry of
Culture. The Stage 2 archaeological assessment resulted in the identification of eleven
archaeological sites, including eight pre-contact Aboriginal sites (Locations 1, 2 and 4 to
9) and three 19th century Euro-Canadian sites (Locations 3, 10 and 11). Due to the small
amount of material recovered from six of the pre-contact Aboriginal sites, their
significance and information potential was judged to be low and no further archaeological
work is recommended for Locations 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Due to the probable significance
and information potential of the remaining two pre-contact Aboriginal sites, AfHi-346
and AfHi-348 (Locations 1 and 5) it is recommended that they be subject to additional
Stage 3 assessment in advance of any development activities. Due to the fact that two of
the Euro-Canadian locations AfHi-347 and AfHi-350 (Locations 3 and 11) produced
artifacts primarily dating to the early to mid part of the 19th century further Stage 3
assessment is recommended for both sites. The third Euro-Canadian site, AfHi-349
(Location 10) consists of primarily late 19th century artifacts, however due to the
inclusion of several early 19th century artifacts at this location a precautionary Stage 3
assessment is recommended.
The Stage 1-2 archaeological assessment was conducted in order to fulfill a
standard condition of development approval, as imposed by the province of Ontario. The
Ontario Ministry of Culture is asked to review the findings presented in this report and
issue a standard letter of concurrence with the results presented. As additional Stage 3
archaeological fieldwork is recommended, a letter of clearance for the subject property is
not requested at this time.
2
Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Figure 1. Location of Study Area
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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2.0
STUDY METHODS
2.1
Stage 1 Background Research
In compliance with the provincial regulations set out in the “Archaeological
Assessment Technical Guidelines” (MCzCR 1993), the Stage 1 Archaeological Overview/
Background Study included;
•
a review of the land use history, including pertinent historic maps; and
•
an examination of the National Site Registration Database to determine the
presence of known archaeological sites in an around the project area.
In addition to the visual evaluation of the subject property, background research
was conducted at the Ministry of Culture Office in Toronto, the University of Western
Ontario Map Library, and the corporate library of Archaeologix Inc.
2.2
Stage 2 Field Assessment Methods
The study area consists primarily of ploughed agricultural fields with lesser areas
of overgrown woodlot, orchard and manicured lawn. An area of previous disturbance
associated with a house and out buildings is also located within the study limits. The
Stage 2 assessment of the ploughed fields were conducted by the standard pedestrian
survey method at an interval of five metres and the Stage 2 assessment of the wooded
areas, the orchard and the manicured lawn was conducted by the standard shovel test pit
method, also at an interval of five metres.
In the event that an artifact was encountered during the pedestrian survey, survey
intervals were intensified to one metre within a twenty metre radius of the find. Each test
pit was approximately 30 centimetres in diameter, and was back filled. In the event an
artifact was encountered in a test pit, additional test pits were dug in close proximity. The
areas immediately around the house and out buildings that were previously disturbed due
to landscaping activities were not assessed. All areas that were not disturbed were subject
to the Stage 2 archaeological field assessment. The agricultural fields at the time of the
assessment were well weathered and visibility was 100%. Figure 3 illustrates the
methods and results of the Stage 2 archaeological assessment.
The weather during the assessment ranged from being cloudy and cool to sunny
and warm. At no time were there conditions detrimental to the recovery of archaeological
remains. Permission to enter the property and remove artifacts was given by Maureen
Zunti of Sifton Properties Limited, London. All recovered artifacts will be housed at the
corporate head office of Archaeologix until their transfer to the Ministry of Culture
collections facility located at 900 Highbury Avenue, London.
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Figure 2. A Portion of the Historic Map of the Township of Westminster
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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3.0
RESULTS
3.1
Background Research
3.1.1
The Natural Environment
The study area is situated within the physiographic region known as “London
Annex of the Caradoc Sand Plain” (Chapman and Putnam 1984:146).
Immediately surrounding the City and extending several miles eastward there is a
basin lying between 850 and 900 feet a.s.l. Into this basin the earliest glacial
spillways discharged muddy water, laying down beds of silt and fine sand. Later,
when standing water had retired westward to lower levels, gravelly alluvium was
spread over the lower parts of the basin.
(Chapman and Putnam 1984:146)
The area is drained to the west towards Kilworth by a small, unnamed tributary of
the Thames River (Figure 1).
3.1.2
Pre-Contact Aboriginal Archaeological Resources and Potential
Previous archaeological assessments and research surveys have demonstrated that
this portion of the province of Ontario was intensively utilized by pre-contact Aboriginal
peoples. There are 30 registered sites within a one kilometre radius of the subject
property, ranging from Early Archaic precontact Aboriginal to nineteenth century EuroCanadian (Table 2). The most notable site is a Glen Meyer village, the Dunn Site (AfHi50), just east of the study area (Pearce 1995:87-88). Table 1 provides a cultural
chronology for the area, taken from Ellis and Ferris (1990). Given the proximity of the
stream and the large number of nearby registered sites, the potential for pre-contact
Aboriginal archaeological resources was judged to be high.
Table 1. Cultural Chronology for London Area
Period
Early Paleo-Indian
Late Paleo-Indian
Early Archaic
Middle Archaic
Late Archaic
Terminal Archaic
Early Woodland
Middle Woodland
Late Woodland
Contact Aboriginal
Historic
Characteristics
Fluted Projectiles
Hi-Lo Projectiles
Kirk and Bifurcate Base Points
Brewerton-like points
Lamoka (narrow points)
Broadpoints
Small Points
Hind Points
Meadowood Points
Dentate/Pseudo-Scallop Pottery
Princess Point
Early Ontario Iroquoian
Middle Ontario Iroquoian
Late Ontario Iroquoian
Various Algonkian Groups
Euro-Canadian
Time
9000 - 8400 B.C.
8400 - 8000B.C.
8000 - 6000 B.C.
6000 - 2500 B.C.
2000 - 1800 B.C.
1800 - 1500 B.C.
1500 - 1100B.C.
1100 - 950 B.C.
950 - 400 B.C.
400 B.C. - A.D.500
A.D. 550 - 900
A.D. 900 - 1300
A.D. 1300 - 1400
A.D. 1400 - 1650
A.D. 1700 - 1875
A.D. 1796 - present
Comments
spruce parkland/caribou hunters
smaller but more numerous sites
slow population growth
environment similar to present
increasing site size
large chipped lithic tools
introduction of bow hunting
emergence of true cemeteries
introduction of pottery
increased sedentism
introduction of corn
emergence of agricultural villages
long longhouses (100m +)
tribal warfare and displacement
early written records and treaties
European settlement
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Table 2. Registered Archaeological Sites within One Kilometre of the Study Area
Borden #
AfHi-50
AfHi-51
AfHi-57
AfHi-60
AfHi-61
AfHi-62
AfHi-63
AfHi-64
AfHi-75
AfHi-76
AfHi-77
AfHi-120
AfHi-123
AfHi-124
AfHi-125
AfHi-126
AfHi-127
AfHi-189
AfHi-190
AfHi-192
AfHi-193
AfHi-194
AfHi-195
AfHi-196
AfHi-216
AfHi-230
AfHi-261
AfHi-265
AfHi-324
AfHi-325
3.1.3
Site Name
Dunn
Miriam
Warbler's Woods Burial
Two Forts
Timber Drive
Warbler Woods North
SoSad
River Bend 1
River Bend 2
River Bend 4
River Bend 5
River Bend 6
River Bend 7
River Bend 8
River Bend 23
Kilbourne Cemetery
Kilbourne
Cassady
The Kains Road Site
William Rufus
Site Type
village
village; homestead
burial
findspot
campsite; homestead
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
special purpose station
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot
findspot; homestead
findspot
cemetery
homestead
campsite; homestead
camp
homestead
Cultural Affiliation
Glen Meyer
Glen Meyer; Euro-Canadian
Glen Meyer
Glen Meyer
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
Glen Meyer
Western Basin; Glen Meyer
pre-contact Aboriginal
Uren
Iroquoian
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
Iroquoian
pre-contact Aboriginal
Early Archaic
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal
pre-contact Aboriginal; Euro-Canadian
pre-contact Aboriginal
Euro-Canadian
Euro-Canadian
Early Iroquoian; Euro-Canadian
Middle Woodland
Euro-Canadian
Potential for Historic Archaeological Sites
The historic map of the Township of Westminster in the 1878 H.R. Page & Co.’s
Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Middlesex lists the owners of the relevant
portions of Lot 49, Concession B, as M. Orman and W. Armstrong and lists the owners of
the relevant portions of Lot 50 as W. Armstrong and C. Smith (Figure 2). Two historic
houses are indicated within the limits of the study area, one is located in the same
approximate location as Location 10 in C. Smith’s portion of Lot 50 and one in the same
approximate location as Location 11 in W. Armstrong’s portion of Lot 49. Due to the
major roadway along the north end of the subject area, and the proximity of the historic
communities of Byron and London, the potential for historic material was judged to be
high.
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Figure 3. Stage 2 Survey Methods & Results
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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3.2
Stage 2 Field Assessment Results
The Stage 2 archaeological assessment was conducted using the methods
described in Section 2.2. Figure 3 illustrates the areas assessed, the techniques employed
and the locations of the sites. Complete artifact catalogues for each location are provided
as Appendix A.
The Stage 2 archaeological assessment resulted in the identification of eleven
archaeological sites, including nine pre-contact Aboriginal sites (Locations 1, 2 and 4 to
9) and three 19th century Euro-Canadian sites (Locations 3, 10 and 11), each of which is
described in greater detail below.
3.2.1
Location 1
(AfHi-346)
Location 1 (AfHi-346) consists of 10 positive test pits found in a 15 by 15 metre
cluster found at GPS co-ordinates 17T MH 70763/56819. The cluster is located on a
large sandy ridge running along a north-south axis and appears to be part of a large
settlement, possibly a village. The artifacts recovered are listed in Appendix 1.
Figure 4. Stage 2 Artifacts Recovered from Location 1 (AfHi-346)
1: Neck Sherd
2: Neck Sherd
Actual Size
Nineteen artifacts were recovered in total. The total includes 10 chipped lithic
artifacts (52.63% of the Stage 2 artifact collection) and nine ceramic artifacts (47.37% of
the Stage 2 artifact collection).
The archaeologists recovered a random flake core and nine pieces of chipping
detritus. All chipped lithic artifacts were manufactured on Onondaga chert. Onondaga
chert is a high quality raw material that outcrops along the north shore of Lake Erie east
of the embouchure of the Grand River. This material can also be recovered from
secondary, glacial deposits across much of southwestern Ontario, east of Chatham. The
core measures 32.4 mm long, 22.4 mm wide, and 21.6 mm thick. The chipping detritus
consists of three secondary flakes, three retouch flakes, and three flake fragments.
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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The recovered ceramics were all quite small, ranging in size from roughly 1 mm
in diameter to 3 mm in diameter. Six of the sherds were classified as fragmentary. All of
them are well made sherds averaging around 6 mm in thickness with granitic temper
inclusions. Four exhibit surface treatment, probably of various matting or cordage
impressions although it is difficult to assess given their small size. One sherd was a cord
wrapped paddle impressed body sherd that was 7.2 mm thick with granitic temper
inclusions. Finally, two neck sherds (Figure 4) with some decoration visible along the
upper edge were recovered. One has incised decoration where lines were scratched on the
surface (Figure 4:2) while the other might have had the line pushed into the clay (Figure
4:1). Both were 8.4 mm thick and had granitic temper inclusions. Although the pottery
sherds do not offer a lot of decoration to make an analysis, the decorative techniques are
similar to those found on Early Ontario Iroquoian Glen Meyer vessels. This makes sense
given the nearby Glen Meyer sites such as Dunn (AfHi-50) and Miriam (AfHi-51).
Due to the fact that Location 1 (AfHi-346) is a spatially discrete area producing
pre-contact Aboriginal cultural material datable to the Early Ontario Iroquoian Glen
Meyer period, it is recommended that this site should be subject to a Stage 3
archaeological assessment. The Stage 3 assessment should include the mapping of any
surface finds and the hand excavation of a series of one metre square test units.
3.2.2
Location 2
Location 2 is three lithic artifacts found at GPS co-ordinates 17T MH
71054/56255. All three artifacts were manufactured from Onondaga chert. One
Onondaga secondary flake (catalogue number 1) has been intentionally retouched along
one edge while two other edges exhibit expedient utilization. The other two lithic
artifacts are secondary flake chipping detritus, one manufactured from Onondaga chert
and one manufactured from Kettle Point chert (catalogue number 2).
These lithic artifacts were found in three positive test pits found in a 3 by 3 m
area. As detailed in Section 2.2, an additional 20 test pits were dug around the finds but
no further artifacts were found. Given the low information potential of Location 2 and
that the artifacts are non-diagnostic, the cultural heritage value of this site is judged to be
low and no further archaeological assessment is recommended.
3.2.3
Location 3
(AfHi-347)
Location 3 consists of a large 60 by 60 metre surface scatter of early to late 19th
century Euro-Canadian artifacts found at GPS co-ordinates 17T MH 70367/56904 (Figure
3). In total a representative sample of 361 Euro-Canadian artifacts were collected from
the surface including 319 ceramic, 32 kitchen or food related, six structural, one barn
tack, one miscellaneous glass, one miscellaneous metal and one personal artifact. Each
artifact class is discussed in greater detail below. Table 3 provides a summary of the
Stage 2 artifacts collected from Location 3 and Appendix A provides a complete
catalogue listing of all the Stage 2 recoveries.
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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Table 3: Stage 2 Artifact Summary for Location 3, AfHi-347
Artifact
Ceramic Artifacts:
whiteware
ironstone
utilitarian
pearlware
Frequency
%
165
72
36
31
Total Ceramic Artifacts
319
45.7
19.9
10.0
8.6
2.8
0.8
0.6
88.4
Non-Ceramic Artifacts:
kitchen/food related
structural
barn tack
misc. glass
misc. metal
personal
Total Non-Ceramic Artifacts
32
6
1
1
1
1
42
8.9
1.7
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
11.6
Total Stage 2 Artifacts
361
100
creamware
porcelain
yelloware
10
3
2
Ceramic Artifacts
In total 319 fragments of ceramic cups, plates or pots were collected during the
Stage 2 assessment at Location 3. Included in this total are 165 pieces of whiteware, 72
pieces of ironstone, 36 utilitarian ceramic pieces, 31 pieces of pearlware, ten pieces of
creamware, three pieces of porcelain and two pieces of yelloware. Table 4 provides a
breakdown of the ceramic assemblage by ware type, while Table 5 provides a more
detailed breakdown of the ceramic assemblage by decorative style.
Table 4: Summary of Ceramic Collection According to Ware Type, AfHi-347
Artifact
whiteware
ironstone
utilitarian
pearlware
creamware
porcelain
yelloware
Total
Frequency
165
72
36
31
10
3
2
319
%
51.7
22.6
11.3
9.7
3.1
0.9
0.6
100
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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White Earthenware
Whiteware was the most common type of ceramic recovered from AfHi-347 with
165 pieces, comprising 51.7% of the ceramic assemblage. Whiteware is a variety of
earthenware with a near colorless glaze that replaced earlier near white ceramics such as
pearlware and creamware by the early 1830’s. Early whiteware tends to have a porous
paste, with more vitrified, harder, ceramics becoming increasingly common later in the
19th century. 45 Of the whiteware pieces recovered from Location 3 were catalogued as
plain or undecorated.
The most common type of decorated whiteware recovered is transfer printed with
75 pieces. Transfer printed whiteware became popular quite early in the 19th century and
involved the transfer of an intricate pattern from a sheet of treated paper to the underglaze
surface of the clay. Before 1830, almost all transfer printed wares were blue. After 1830,
colours such as light blue, black, brown, green, purple and red became more common.
Transfer printed whiteware ceramics were less densely decorated than the earlier
pearlware types, with more of the white background showing through the designs. From
this location 67 of the pieces are blue, five are brown and three are black (Figure 5:5).
The second most common type of decorated whiteware recovered from Location 3
is flow transfer printed with seventeen pieces. This style of decoration, in which the
pigment is allowed to flow into the glaze, became popular in the 1840’s and 50’s, with a
later revival in the 1890’s. Fifteen of the flow transfer printed pieces are blue and two are
black.
Twelve pieces of sponged whiteware were recovered from Location 3. Sponged
whiteware ceramics were a form of inexpensive tableware in which a sponge was used to
apply an underglaze pigment. All-over sponging became popular by the 1840’s and
remained common until the 1870’s. All nine of the recovered pieces are blue.
Seven pieces of edged whiteware were also recovered from this Location during
the Stage 2 assessment. Edged whiteware plates became common as early as 1790 and
overlapped with the manufacture of edged pearlware ceramics. Both blue and green
edged wares were popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with green edged wares
declining in popularity post 1830. Due to the fragmentary nature of most of the edged
pieces it is difficult to clearly identify decorative techniques that were used such as
moulded designs and scalloped rims therefore each piece was only classified according to
the decorative elements that could be clearly identified. Three of the edged pieces are blue
with straight rims and a moulded chicken foot design, one is blue with a scalloped rim
and impressed curved lines, one is blue with a scalloped rim and a fancy moulded design,
one is blue with impressed curved lines and one is blue with a straight rim, impressed
curved lines and no moulding (Figure 5:3). Miller (1987) outlines the production range
for edged whiteware according to rim decoration as follows; scalloped rim with
impressed curved lines, 1780-1820, scalloped rim with impressed straight lines, 17951840, scalloped rim with impressed bud, 1800-1850, embossed raised patterns, 1820_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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1845, unscalloped and impressed rim, 1825-1891, unscalloped and unmoulded rim, 18501897.
Five pieces of stamped whiteware were recovered from Location 3. Stamping
involved the transfer of paint to the bisque surface through the use of a stamp most
frequently made of sponge. This decorative technique usually dates to the second half of
the 19th century. Three of the stamped pieces are decorated with a blue design and two
with a red.
The remaining type of whiteware recovered form Location 3 during the Stage 2
survey was hand painted with four pieces. The hand painted whiteware from this location
is exclusively polychrome, floral pattern tea ware. Painted wares of this type were
popular from as early as 1830 through to the 1870’s. The prominent colours from this
collection are blue, pink, green and black (Figure 5:4).
Ironstone
The second most common type of ceramic recovered from Location 3 is ironstone
with 72 pieces. Ironstone or graniteware is a variety of refined white earthenware
introduced in the 1840’s that became extremely popular in Upper Canada by the 1860’s
(Kenyon 1985). It is usually much thicker than other whiteware, and often decorated with
raised moulded designs of wheat or fruit. 59 Pieces of plain ironstone and thirteen pieces
of moulded ironstone were recovered from this location. Three of the moulded pieces
are decorated with a wheat design. Starting in the 1860’s the “wheat” design, also
referred to as “Ceres” was the most popular ironstone pattern produced (Kenyon 1985).
Utilitarian Ceramic Wares
In addition to the tableware, 36 pieces of utilitarian ceramics were recovered from
Location 3, comprising 11.3% of the ceramic assemblage. This collection consists of
twenty pieces of red earthenware, eleven pieces of yellow earthenware and five pieces of
stoneware. Red and yellow earthenware vessels were manufactured throughout the late
18th and 19th centuries and were the most common utilitarian ware in the first half of the
19th century, eventually being replaced by more durable stoneware vessels. Stoneware
vessels were also produced throughout the 19th century.
Pearlware
Pearlware, sometimes referred to as “China glazed”, is a variety of earthenware
that was popular from 1780 to 1840. Pearlware is often difficult to recognize because of
its similar appearance to later whiteware ceramics, however because of the addition of
cobalt, the glaze has a light blue to blue-green tint. When placed on a white earthenware
bisque, this glaze gave the impression of a “whiter” ware than the earlier yellow tinted
creamware. 23 Pieces of plain pearlware and eight pieces of decorated pearlware were
recovered during the Stage 2 assessment at Location 3.
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario
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The most common type of decorated pearlware recovered is painted with six
pieces. The earliest painted designs were done using only one colour, blue with their
appearance beginning in the late 18th century and declining in popularity around 1830.
The painting for blue painted pearlware was applied directly onto the plain fired bisquit
and then glazed, this type of technique sealed the colour and protected the wares from
daily damage (Lockett 1996:3). Because of this technique of application blue painted
pearlware often looks as crisp today as when the wares were first manufactured which
explains their enduring popularity (Lockett 1996:3). Polychrome painted pearlware
started to become popular around the turn of the century. “Early Palette” colours, such as
muted shades of blue, yellow, orange, brown and green were manufactured from as early
as 1795 to 1815 (Noel Hume 1969:129). More brilliant colours such as red, pink, bright
yellow and bright green were not used until as late as 1840 and referred to as the “Late
Palette” colours (Noel Hume 1969:129). From this assemblage three of the pieces are
decorated using only blue and three with early palette colours: brown, orange, green and
blue (Figure 5:2).
The remaining two pieces of decorated pearlware that were recovered from
Location 3 are transfer printed. Transfer printing was developed as early as 1780, but did
not become common in Upper Canada until around 1810 (Kenyon 1985:46). The early
transfer printed pearlwares were most frequently decorated in blue, with other colours,
such as black, green, red and purple becoming popular after 1820. Early transfer printed
pearlwares were frequently densely decorated, with very little white background apparent.
Both of the transfer printed pearlware pieces are decorated using blue (Figure 5:1).
Creamware
Creamware, often referred to as “Queen’s Ware” was first produced in the 1750’s,
and later perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760’s. This type of tableware became
very common in Upper Canada by 1770 and continued in popularity until about 1820
when it started to be replaced by later pearlware and whiteware types. Creamware is a
refined, thin bodied earthenware with a clear lead-glaze that appears creamy yellow to
yellowish-green in colour. Creamware was most often manufactured plain or decorated
with moulded designs, however transfer printed, hand painted and banded examples of
creamware do exist. Ten pieces of plain creamware were recovered from Location 3.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a type of earthenware fired at such a high temperature that the clay
has begun to vitrify; consequently the ceramic is translucent when held up to a light.
Because of its high cost, porcelain is extremely rare on 19th century sites in Ontario,
however by the turn of the century it becomes relatively common, as production
techniques were developed in Europe which greatly reduced costs. Three pieces of
porcelain, including two plain sherds and one transfer printed were recovered during the
Stage 2 assessment at this location. The transfer printed piece is green and appears to be
from the 20th century.
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Yelloware
The remaining two ceramic pieces recovered from Location 3 are yelloware.
Yelloware ceramics were first manufactured in the 1840’s, and continue to be
manufactured in limited quantities today. Both of the yelloware pieces from this location
are banded, decorated with blue and white bands and a black mocha design (Figure 5:6).
Figure 5. Stage 2 Artifacts Recovered from Location 3 (AfHi-347)
1: Transfer Printed Pearlware
3: Edged Whiteware
6: Banded Yelloware
2: Hand Painted Pearlware
4: Hand Painted
Whiteware
5: Transfer Printed
Whiteware
7: Fluted White Clay Pipe Bowl
Actual Size
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Table 5: Summary of Ceramic Collection According to Decorative Style, AfHi-347
Artifact
whiteware, transfer printed
ironstone, plain
whiteware, plain
pearlware, plain
earthenware, red
whiteware, flow transfer printed
ironstone, moulded
whiteware, sponged
earthenware, yellow
creamware, plain
whiteware, edged
pearlware, painted
stoneware
whiteware, stamped
whiteware, painted
pearlware, transfer printed
porcelain, plain
yelloware, banded
porcelain, transfer printed
Total
Frequency
75
59
45
23
20
17
13
12
11
10
7
6
5
5
4
2
2
2
1
319
%
23.5
18.5
14.1
7.2
6.3
5.3
4.1
3.8
3.4
3.1
2.2
1.9
1.6
1.6
1.3
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.3
100
Kitchen/Food Artifacts
32 artifacts were gathered during the Stage 2 assessment at Location 3 that were
classified as part of the kitchen or food related assemblage. This collection consists of
twenty shards of bottle glass and twelve faunal fragments. The colours of bottle glass
represented in this collection includes nine dark olive or “black glass”, nine aqua, one
clear and one brown. The colour of bottle glass alone is very limited with regards to
providing dates of manufacture for glass bottles (Lindsey, 2008). The nine pieces of
black glass however, likely date to the first half of the nineteenth century. The addition of
iron when making glass was common practice up until 1860 and produced dark olive or
dark amber glass that became known as “black glass” (Kendrick 1971). Three of the
faunal remain pieces are butchered.
Structural Artifacts
Six artifacts that were recovered from Location 3 were categorized as part of the
structural collection. This assemblage includes five shards of window glass and one cut
nail. Cut nails were machine cut and have a flat head. They were invented as early as
1790, but did not become common in Ontario until 1830.
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Barn Tack
One sleigh bell was recovered from Location 3 during the Stage 2 assessment.
Misc. Glass Artifacts
One piece of white glass or “milk” glass was recovered from Location 3. Milk
glass was most commonly used for cosmetic containers, toiletry bottles or cream jars.
The opaque white glass was very commonly used for such products dating from about
1870 through to the 20th century (Lindsey, 2008).
Misc. Metal Artifacts
One piece of miscellaneous metal hardware was recovered during the Stage 2
assessment. This piece appears to be part of a metal hook, possibly a coat hook.
Personal Artifacts
The remaining artifact recovered from Location 3, a white clay pipe bowl
fragment was classified as a personal item. White clay pipes were very popular
throughout the 19th century, with a decline in use by 1880 when they were replaced by
briar pipes and cigarettes (Adams et al. 1994:93). This pipe bowl fragment is decorated
with a fluted design (Figure 5:7).
Summary
Due to the overwhelming predominance of whiteware over later types of
ceramics and the presence of early creamware and pearlware ceramics it is recommended
that Location 3 (AfHi-347) should be subject to a Stage 3 archaeological investigation to
further evaluate its significance and information potential. The Stage 3 examination
should include the controlled mapping of the surface finds as well as the hand excavation
of a series of one-meter test units to sample the nature and density of the cultural deposits.
Archival research should also be conducted on the 19th century land registry data for this
lot.
3.2.4
Location 4
Location 4 is a single isolated piece of Onondaga chipping detritus located at GPS
co-ordinates 17T MH 70283/56871. This artifact was not retained for analysis. As
detailed in Section 2.2, survey intervals were intensified to one metre within a twenty
metre radius of the find but no further artifacts were found. Given this is the only find at
Location 4 and is a non-diagnostic artifact, the cultural heritage value of this site is judged
to be low and no further archaeological assessment is recommended.
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3.2.5
Location 5
(AfHi-348 )
Location 5 (AfHi-348) is a scatter of chipping detritus found at GPS co-ordinates
17T MH 70567/56404. These artifacts were not retained for analysis but left in the field
to facilitate relocating the site. Nine Onondaga chert flakes were found within an area of
20 by 15 metres.
Due to the fact that Location 5 (AfHi-348) is a spatially discrete area producing
pre-contact Aboriginal cultural material, it is recommended that this site should be subject
to a precautionary Stage 3 archaeological investigation to further evaluate its significance
and information potential. The Stage 3 assessment should include the mapping of any
surface finds and the hand excavation of a series of one metre square test units.
3.2.6
Location 6
(AfHi-351)
Table 6: AfHi-351 Projectile Point Characteristics
Cat. #
1
Artifact
projectile point
Length Width
49.4*
24.8
Thickness
6.6
Shoulder Inter-Notch
Width
Width
25.0
13.2
Basal
Width
13.4*
all measurements in millimetres
*incomplete measurement
Location 6 is a single isolated notched projectile
Figure 6. Stage 2
point made of Kettle Point chert (Figure 6) that has been
Artifact Recovered
from Location 6 (AfHi-351) reworked and subsequently damaged. Its GPS coordinates are 17T MH 70645/56313. As detailed in
Section 2.2, survey intervals were intensified to one metre
within a twenty metre radius of the find but no further
artifacts were found. The overall shape of the projectile
point is hard to determine; one barb has been reworked
and the stem base is damaged and it appears to flare
outward. While measurement were taken (see Table 6),
the basal shape, length and width are impossible to
extrapolate or measure accurately now. Given the damage
it is impossible to assign the point to a type or even a
1: Projectile Point
general time period.
Actual Size
While a diagnostic artifact, it was found in isolation and therefore the cultural
heritage value of this site is judged to be low. No further archaeological assessment is
recommended.
3.2.7
Location 7
Location 7 is a single isolated piece of Onondaga chipping detritus located at GPS
co-ordinate 17T MH 71054/56111. As detailed in Section 2.2, an additional 20 test pits
were dug around the finds but no further artifacts were found. Given this is the only find
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at Location 7 and is a non-diagnostic artifact, the cultural heritage value of this site is
judged to be low and no further archaeological assessment is recommended.
3.2.8
Location 8
Location 8 is a single isolated piece of Kettle Point chipping detritus located at
GPS co-ordinate 17T MH 70870/56427. This artifact was not retained for analysis. As
detailed in Section 2.2, survey intervals were intensified to one metre within a twenty
metre radius of the find but no further artifacts were found. Given this is the only find at
Location 8 and is a non-diagnostic artifact, the cultural heritage value of this site is judged
to be low and no further archaeological assessment is recommended.
3.2.9
Location 9
Location 9 is a single isolated piece of Onondaga chipping detritus found in a
positive test pit located at GPS co-ordinates 17T MH 70637/56676. As detailed in
Section 2.2, additional test pits were dug in close proximity but no further artifacts were
found. Given this is the only find at Location 9 and is a non-diagnostic artifact, the
cultural heritage value of this site is judged to be low and no further archaeological
assessment is recommended.
3.2.10 Location 10 (AfHi-349)
Table 7: Stage 2 Artifact Summary for Location 10, AfHi-349
Artifact
Ceramic Artifacts:
whiteware
ironstone
Total Ceramic Artifacts
Frequency
%
4
3
7
7.3
5.5
12.7
Non-Ceramic Artifacts:
kitchen/food related
structural
misc. metal
recent material
barn tack
personal
Total Non-Ceramic Artifacts
23
18
3
2
1
1
48
41.8
32.7
5.5
3.6
1.8
1.8
87.3
Total Stage 2 Artifacts
55
100
Location 10 consists of a 40 by 40 metre surface scatter of mid to late 19th century
Euro-Canadian artifacts found at GPS co-ordinates 17T MH 70637/56776 (Figure 3). In
total a representative sample of 55 Euro-Canadian artifacts were collected from the
surface including seven ceramic, 23 kitchen or food related, eighteen structural, three
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miscellaneous metal, two recent, one barn tack and one personal artifact. Each artifact
class is discussed in greater detail below. Table 7 provides a summary of the Stage 2
artifacts collected from Location 10 and Appendix A provides a complete catalogue
listing of all the Stage 2 recoveries.
Ceramic Artifacts
In total seven fragments of ceramic cups, plates or pots were collected during the
Stage 2 assessment at Location 10. Included in this total are four pieces of whiteware and
three pieces of ironstone. Table 8 provides a breakdown of the ceramic assemblage by
ware type, while Table 9 provides a more detailed breakdown of the ceramic assemblage
by decorative style.
Table 8: Summary of Ceramic Collection According to Ware Type, AfHi-349
Artifact
whiteware
ironstone
Total
Frequency
4
3
7
%
57.1
42.9
100
White Earthenware
Whiteware was the most common type of ceramic recovered from AfHi-349 with
four pieces. Whiteware is a variety of earthenware with a near colorless glaze that
replaced earlier near white ceramics such as pearlware and creamware by the early
1830’s. Early whiteware tends to have a porous paste, with more vitrified, harder,
ceramics becoming increasingly common later in the 19th century. Two of the whiteware
pieces recovered from Location 10 were catalogued as plain or undecorated (Figure 7:2).
The remaining two pieces of decorated whiteware recovered are both flow transfer
printed. This style of decoration, in which the pigment is allowed to flow into the glaze,
became popular in the 1840’s and 50’s, with a later revival in the 1890’s. Both of the
flow transfer printed pieces from this location are blue (Figure 7:1).
Ironstone
The second most common type of ceramic recovered from Location 10 is
ironstone with three pieces. Ironstone or graniteware is a variety of refined white
earthenware introduced in the 1840’s that became extremely popular in Upper Canada by
the 1860’s (Kenyon 1985). It is usually much thicker than other whiteware, and often
decorated with raised moulded designs of wheat or fruit. All three of the ironstone pieces
recovered from this location are plain or undecorated (Figure 7:3).
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Table 9: Summary of Ceramic Collection According to Decorative Style, AfHi-349
Artifact
ironstone, plain
whiteware, flow transfer printed
whiteware, plain
Total
Frequency
3
2
2
7
%
42.9
28.6
28.6
100
Kitchen/Food Artifacts
23 Artifacts gathered during the Stage 2 Assessment at Location 10 were
classified as part of the kitchen or food related assemblage. This collection consists of
sixteen shards of bottle glass and seven faunal fragments. The colours of bottle glass
represented in this collection includes five aqua, four brown, four clear and three green.
The colour of bottle glass alone is very limited with regards to providing dates of
manufacture for glass bottles (Lindsey, 2008). One of the green bottle glass fragments is
machine manufactured, dating it to the twentieth century. Three of the faunal fragments
that were recovered have been burnt.
Figure 7. Stage 2 Artifacts Recovered from Location 10 (AfHi-349)
1: Flow Transfer Printed
Whiteware
2: Plain Whiteware
4: Horse Harness Buckle
3: Ironstone
5: Cut Nail
Actual Size
Structural Artifacts
Eighteen artifacts that were recovered from Location 10 were categorized as part
of the structural collection. This assemblage includes eight wire drawn nails, six shards
of window glass and four cut nails (Figure 7:5). Cut nails were machine cut and have a
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flat head. They were invented as early as 1790, but did not become common in Ontario
until 1830. Wire drawn nails are identical to the type of nails in current use today, with a
flat, round head and a wire shaft. Wire drawn nails became popular in the 1890’s.
Misc. Metal Artifacts
Two pieces of miscellaneous metal hardware and one piece of miscellaneous
metal were recovered during the Stage 2 assessment. The metal hardware consist of one
nut and one bolt.
Recent Material
Two pieces of recent material were found at Location 10. One of these pieces is
the base of a modern tin can and the other is a seal possibly from the inside of a bottle lid.
Barn Tack
One horse harness buckle was recovered from Location 10 during the Stage 2
assessment (Figure 7:4).
Personal Artifacts
The remaining artifact recovered from Location 10, a portion of a zipper, was
classified as a personal item.
Summary
The artifacts collected from Location 10 (AfHi-349) predominantly date to the
second half of the 19th century. Despite the fact that a large number of late 19th century
artifacts were recovered from this location, the inclusion of the earlier artifacts such as the
whiteware ceramics and the cut nails suggests that further Stage 3 assessment of Location
10 (AfHi-349) is warranted. The Stage 3 assessment of Location 10 should be aimed
towards determining if there are localized areas of earlier artifact concentrations at this
site. This Stage 3 examination should include the controlled mapping of the surface finds
as well as the hand excavation of a series of one metre test units to sample the nature and
density of this cultural deposit. Archival research should also be conducted on the 19th
century land registry data for this lot.
3.2.11 Location 11 (AfHi-350)
Location 11 consists of a 35 by 40 metre surface scatter of early to late 19th
century Euro-Canadian artifacts found at GPS co-ordinates 17T MH 70645/56042 (Figure
3). In total a representative sample of 83 Euro-Canadian artifacts were collected from the
surface including 60 ceramic, twelve structural, ten kitchen or food related and one
personal. Each artifact class is discussed in greater detail below. Table 10 provides a
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summary of the Stage 2 artifacts collected from Location 11 and Appendix A provides a
complete catalogue listing of all the Stage 2 recoveries.
Table 10: Stage 2 Artifact Summary for Location 11, AfHi-350
Artifact
Ceramic Artifacts:
whiteware
utilitarian
pearlware
Frequency
%
39
10
5
unknown ceramic type
ironstone
porcelain
yelloware
2
2
1
1
Total Ceramic Artifacts
60
47.0
12.0
6.0
2.4
2.4
1.2
1.2
72.3
Non-Ceramic Artifacts:
structural
kitchen/food related
personal
Total Non-Ceramic Artifacts
12
10
1
23
14.5
12.0
1.2
27.7
Total Stage 2 Artifacts
83
100
Ceramic Artifacts
In total 60 fragments of ceramic cups, plates or pots were collected during the
Stage 2 assessment at Location 11. Included in this total are 39 pieces of whiteware, ten
utilitarian ceramic pieces, five pieces of pearlware, two unknown ceramic pieces, two
pieces of ironstone, one piece of porcelain and piece of yelloware. Table 11 provides a
breakdown of the ceramic assemblage by ware type, while Table 12 provides a more
detailed breakdown of the ceramic assemblage by decorative style.
Table 11: Summary of Ceramic Collection According to Ware Type, AfHi-350
Artifact
whiteware
utilitarian
pearlware
unknown ceramic type
ironstone
porcelain
yelloware
Total
Frequency
39
10
5
2
2
1
1
60
%
65.0
16.7
8.3
3.3
3.3
1.7
1.7
100
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White Earthenware
Whiteware was the most common type of ceramic recovered from AfHi-350 with
39 pieces, comprising 65% of the ceramic assemblage. Whiteware is a variety of
earthenware with a near colorless glaze that replaced earlier near white ceramics such as
pearlware and creamware by the early 1830’s. Early whiteware tends to have a porous
paste, with more vitrified, harder, ceramics becoming increasingly common later in the
19th century. 27 Of the whiteware pieces recovered from Location 11 were catalogued as
plain or undecorated.
The most common type of decorated whiteware recovered was edged with six
pieces. Edged whiteware plates became common as early as 1790 and overlapped with
the manufacture of edged pearlware ceramics. Both blue and green edged wares were
popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with green edged wares declining in
popularity post 1830. Due to the fragmentary nature of most of the edged pieces it is
difficult to clearly identify decorative techniques that were used such as moulded designs
and scalloped rims therefore each piece was only classified according to the decorative
elements that could be clearly identified. Three of the pieces are blue with scalloped rims
and impressed curved lines, two are blue with straight rims and one is a blue fragmentary
piece (Figure 8:4). Miller (1987) outlines the production range for edged whiteware
according to rim decoration as follows; scalloped rim with impressed curved lines, 17801820, scalloped rim with impressed straight lines, 1795-1840, scalloped rim with
impressed bud, 1800-1850, embossed raised patterns, 1820-1845, unscalloped and
impressed rim, 1825-1891, unscalloped and unmoulded rim, 1850-1897.
The second most common type of decorated whiteware recovered from Location
11 was transfer printed with two pieces. Transfer printed whiteware became popular quite
early in the 19th century and involved the transfer of an intricate pattern from a sheet of
treated paper to the underglaze surface of the clay. Before 1830, almost all transfer
printed wares were blue. After 1830, colours such as light blue, black, brown, green,
purple and red became more common. Transfer printed whiteware ceramics were less
densely decorated than the earlier pearlware types, with more of the white background
showing through the designs. From this location one of the pieces is blue and one is
brown (Figure 8:5).
One piece of hand painted whiteware was recovered form Location 11. This piece
is decorated using green and black. Painted wares of this type were popular from as early
as 1830 through to the 1870’s (Figure 8:3).
A banded piece of whiteware was recovered during the Stage 2 assessment at
Location 11. Banded wares were decorated with horizontal bands of coloured slip
applied in varying widths. Colours are predominantly muted earth tones including, black,
green, brown, orange, yellow, grey, and pale blue. Banded pieces may also include inlaid
and cut away slip decoration and bands of lathe turned grooves or patterns. Banding
occurred both as a primary decorative element and in conjunction with other design
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elements such as marbling, or the dendritic patterns found on mocha ware. Banded
patterns can be found on whiteware dating from 1830 up to the 20th century (Sussman
1997). Banded designs are most frequently found on whiteware. After 1850 annular wares
became available only on the blue banded variety and its use continued into the 20th
century (Sussman 1997). The banded piece from this site is decorated with brown and
blue annular bands (Figure 8:6).
One piece of sponged whiteware was also recovered form this location. Sponged
whiteware ceramics were a form of inexpensive tableware in which a sponge was used to
apply an underglaze pigment. All-over sponging became popular by the 1840’s and
remained common until the 1870’s. The sponged piece form this location is blue (Figure
8:1).
The remaining piece of decorated whiteware recovered from Location 11 is
stamped. Stamping involved the transfer of paint to the bisque surface through the use of
a stamp most frequently made of sponge. This decorative technique usually dates to the
second half of the 19th century. This piece is decorated with a blue design (Figure 8:2).
Utilitarian Ceramic Wares
In addition to the tableware, ten utilitarian ceramic pieces were recovered from
Location 11. This collection consists of eight pieces of red earthenware and two pieces of
stoneware. Red and yellow earthenware vessels were manufactured throughout the late
18th and 19th centuries and were the most common utilitarian ware in the first half of the
19th century, eventually being replaced by more durable stoneware vessels. Stoneware
vessels were also produced throughout the 19th century.
Pearlware
Pearlware, sometimes referred to as “China glazed”, is a variety of earthenware
that was popular from 1780 to 1840. Pearlware is often difficult to recognize because of
its similar appearance to later whiteware ceramics, however because of the addition of
cobalt, the glaze has a light blue to blue-green tint. When placed on a white earthenware
bisque, this glaze gave the impression of a “whiter” ware than the earlier yellow tinted
creamware. Five pieces of plain pearlware were recovered during the Stage 2 assessment
at Location 11 (Figure 8:7).
Unknown Ceramic Type
Unfortunately two of the ceramic pieces recovered from Location 11 could not be
catalogued into specific ceramic-ware classifications. These pieces are so heavily
damaged and fragmentary that it is impossible to accurately identify them by ceramic
type. In order to avoid altering the separate ceramic totals, percentages and ultimately the
temporal data for the site the damaged pieces were simply classified as miscellaneous
unidentified ceramics.
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Ironstone
Ironstone or graniteware is a variety of refined white earthenware introduced in
the 1840’s that became extremely popular in Upper Canada by the 1860’s (Kenyon 1985).
It is usually much thicker than other whiteware, and often decorated with raised moulded
designs of wheat or fruit. One piece of plain ironstone and one piece of moulded
ironstone were recovered from this location. The moulded piece was decorated with a
wheat design. Starting in the 1860’s the “wheat” design, also referred to as “Ceres” was
the most popular ironstone pattern produced (Kenyon 1985).
Porcelain
Porcelain is a type of earthenware fired at such a high temperature that the clay
has begun to vitrify; consequently the ceramic is translucent when held up to a light.
Because of its high cost, porcelain is extremely rare on 19th century sites in Ontario,
however by the turn of the century it becomes relatively common, as production
techniques were developed in Europe which greatly reduced costs. One piece of plain
white porcelain was recovered from this location.
Yelloware
The remaining two ceramic piece recovered from Location 11 is yelloware.
Yelloware ceramics were first manufactured in the 1840’s, and continue to be
manufactured in limited quantities today. This yelloware piece is banded and decorated
with a white band.
Table 12: Summary of Ceramic Collection According to Decorative Style, AfHi-350
Artifact
whiteware, plain
earthenware, red
whiteware, edged
pearlware, plain
whiteware, transfer printed
stoneware
unknown ceramic type
whiteware, painted
whiteware, banded
yelloware, banded
whiteware, sponged
whiteware, stamped
ironstone, moulded
ironstone, plain
porcelain, plain
Total
Frequency
27
8
6
5
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
60
%
45.0
13.3
10.0
8.3
3.3
3.3
3.3
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
100
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Structural Artifacts
Twelve artifacts that were recovered from Location 11 were categorized as part of
the structural collection. This assemblage includes nine cut nails and three shards of
window glass. Cut nails were machine cut and have a flat head. They were invented as
early as 1790, but did not become common in Ontario until 1830.
Kitchen/Food Artifacts
Ten artifacts were gathered during the Stage 2 Assessment at Location 11 that
were classified as part of the kitchen or food related assemblage. This collection consists
of seven shards of bottle glass and three faunal fragments. Unfortunately due to the
fragmentary nature of the bottle glass shards the collection can only be classified
according to colour. All seven of the bottle glass pieces are aqua coloured. Unfortunately
due to the fragmentary nature of the bottle glass shards the collection can only be
classified according to colour. The colour of bottle glass alone is very limited with
regards to providing dates of manufacture for glass bottles (Lindsey, 2008).
Figure 8. Stage 2 Artifacts Recovered from Location 11 (AfHi-350)
1: Sponged
Whiteware
5: Transfer Printed
Whiteware
2: Stamped
Whiteware
6: Banded
Whiteware
3: Hand Painted
Whiteware
7: Plain Pearlware
4: Edged Whiteware
8: White Clay
Pipe Bowl
Actual Size
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Archaeological Assessment (Stages 1 & 2), River Bend South
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Personal Artifacts
The remaining artifact recovered from Location 11, a white clay pipe bowl
fragment was classified as a personal item. White clay pipes were very popular
throughout the 19th century, with a decline in use by 1880 when they were replaced by
briar pipes and cigarettes (Adams et al. 1994:93). This pipe bowl fragment is plain
(Figure 8:8).
Summary
Due to the overwhelming predominance of whiteware over later types of ceramics and
the presence of early pearlware ceramics it is recommended that Location 11 (AfHi-350)
should be subject to a Stage 3 archaeological investigation to further evaluate its
significance and information potential. The Stage 3 examination should include the
controlled mapping of the surface finds as well as the hand excavation of a series of onemeter test units to sample the nature and density of the cultural deposits. Archival
research should also be conducted on the 19th century land registry data for this lot.
Figure 9. Area of Stage 2 Pedestrian Assessment, 5m Intervals
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Figure 10. Area of Stage 2 Test Pit Assessment, 5m Intervals
Figure 11. Area of Previous Disturbance, Not Assessed
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4.0
RECOMMENDATIONS
An archaeological assessment (Stages 1 & 2) was conducted for a 61.1 hectare
property located on part of Lots 49 and 50, Concession B, Geographic Township of
Westminster, now City of London, Middlesex County, Ontario. This assessment was
undertaken in order to meet the requirements of a standard condition of development
approval.
The Stage 2 archaeological assessment resulted in the identification of eleven
archaeological sites, including eight pre-contact Aboriginal sites (Locations 1, 2 and 4 to
9) and three 19th century Euro-Canadian sites (Locations 3, 10 and 11). Due to the small
amount of material recovered from six of the pre-contact Aboriginal sites, their
significance and information potential was judged to be low and no further archaeological
work is recommended for Locations 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Due to the probable significance
and information potential of the remaining two pre-contact Aboriginal sites, AfHi-346
and AfHi-348 (Locations 1 and 5) it is recommended that they be subject to additional
Stage 3 assessment in advance of any development activities. Due to the fact that two of
the Euro-Canadian locations AfHi-347 and AfHi-350 (Locations 3 and 11) produced
artifacts primarily dating to the early to mid part of the 19th century further Stage 3
assessment is recommended for both sites. The third Euro-Canadian site, AfHi-349
(Location 10) consists of primarily late 19th century artifacts, however due to the
inclusion of earlier artifacts at this location a precautionary Stage 3 assessment is
recommended.
The Stage 1-2 archaeological assessment was conducted in order to fulfill a
standard condition of development approval, as imposed by the province of Ontario. The
Ontario Ministry of Culture is asked to review the findings presented in this report and
issue a standard letter of concurrence with the results presented. As additional Stage 3
archaeological fieldwork is recommended, a letter of clearance for the subject property is
not requested at this time. Should deeply buried archaeological material be found on the
property during excavation activities, the Ministry of Culture should be notified
immediately at (416) 314-7174. In the event that human remains are encountered during
excavation, the proponent should immediately contact both the Ministry of Culture and
the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the Cemeteries Regulation Unit of the Ministry of
Consumer and Commercial Relations, (416) 326-8392.
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References Cited
Adams, Nick, Ian Kenyon, and Dena Doroszenko
1994 Field Manual for Avocational Archaeologists in Ontario. Ontario Archaeological
Society Inc., Archaeological Stewardship Project.
Chapman, Lyman John and Donald F. Putnam
1984 The Physiography of Southern Ontario. 3rd ed. Ontario Geological
Survey Special Volume 2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto.
Ellis, Chris J. and Neal Ferris (editors)
1990 The Archaeology of Southern Ontario to A.D. 1650. Occasional Publication
of the London Chapter, Ontario Archaeological Society, Number 5.
Government of Canada
1999 Topographic Map Sheet 40 I/14: St. Thomas (Edition 8). Surveys and Mapping
Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa.
Government of Ontario
1993 Archaeological Assessment Technical Guidelines. Archaeology & Heritage
Planning Unit, Cultural Programs Branch, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and
Recreation.
n.d.
Archaeological Data Base Files. Heritage Branch, Ministry of Culture, Toronto.
H.R. Page and Company
1878 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Middlesex, Ontario. 1972 reprint.
Edward Phelps, Sarnia.
Hume, Ivor Noel
1969 A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America. New York: Knopf.
Kendrick, Grace
1971 The Antique Bottle Collector. New York: Pyramid Books.
Kenyon, Ian
1985 “A History of Ceramic Tableware in Ontario, 1780-1840”. Arch Notes May/June
1985.
Lindsey, Bill
2008 Historic Glass Bottle Identification and Information Website.
http://www.sha.org/bottle/index.htm, The Bureau of Land Management, Society
for Historical Archaeology.
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Lockett, Terence A.
1996 Pearlware: Origins and Types (Part 1).
http://www.netcentral.co.uk/steveb/features/pearlware.htm.
Miller, George
1987 An Introduction to English Ceramics for Archaeologists. Midwestern
Archaeological Research Centre. Illinois State University.
Pearce, Robert J.
1995 Mapping Middleport: A Case Study in Societal Archaeology.
Museum of Ontario Archaeology Research Report No. 25.
Sussman, Lynne
1997 Mocha, Banded, Cat’s Eye, and Other Factory-Made Slipware.
Northeast Historical Archaeology, no. 1. Boston: Boston University.
2nd edition.
Studies in
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APPENDIX A:
Complete Stage 2 Catalogues
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Location 1 (AfHi-346)
Cat #
Context
1
2
3
4
5
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
Location 2
Cat #
Context
1
2
test pits
test pits
Location 3 (AfHi-347)
Cat #
Context
Artifact
Freq.
core
chipping detritus
fragmentary sherds
neck sherds
body sherds
1
9
6
2
1
19
Artifact
Freq.
retouched flake
chipping detritus
1
2
3
Comments
1 Onondaga chert
9 Onondaga chert
Comments
1 Onondaga chert; 1 edge
retouched, 2 edges utilized
2 Onondaga chert
Artifact
Freq.
1
2
3
4
5
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
ironstone, moulded
ironstone
creamware
pearlware
whiteware
3
33
10
11
8
Comments
6
7
8
9
10
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
whiteware, stamped
porcelain
pearlware, transfer printed
pearlware, painted
whiteware, painted
2
1
1
3
1
11
12
13
14
surface
surface
surface
surface
whiteware, edged
whiteware, sponged
whiteware, flow transfer printed
whiteware, transfer printed
2
3
6
31
red stamped design and
green painted
plain white
blue
blue
blue, green
1 blue with straight rim
and chicken foot design, 1
blue with scalloped rim
and impressed curved lines
blue
blue
28 blue, 3 brown
15
16
surface
surface
whiteware, transfer printed
pearlware, transfer printed
2
1
black with writing "JAMES ..D… MA…"
blue
17
18
surface
surface
pearlware, painted
whiteware, painted
3
3
19
20
21
22
23
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
yelloware, banded
whiteware, stamped
whiteware, sponged
porcelain, transfer printed
porcelain
2
3
9
1
1
1 blue, 2 E.P. brown, green,
orange and blue
pink, blue, green, black
blue, white, black mocha
design
blue
blue
green - modern
plain white
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24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
whiteware, edged
whiteware, flow transfer printed
whiteware, transfer printed
ironstone, moulded
ironstone
pearlware
whiteware
stoneware
earthenware, red
earthenware, yellow
bell
white clay pipe bowl
nail, cut
5
11
42
10
26
12
37
5
20
11
1
1
1
37
38
39
40
41
surface
surface
surface
surface
surface
glass, bottle
glass, white
glass, window
misc. metal hardware
faunal remains
20
1
5
1
12
361
Artifact
Freq.
Location 6 (AfHi-348)
Cat #
Context
1
surface
Location 7
Cat #
Context
1
test pits
Location 9
Cat #
Context
1
surface
Location 10 (AfHi-349)
Cat #
Context
projectile point
1
1
Artifact
Freq.
chipping detritus
1
1
Artifact
Freq.
utilized flake
1
1
Artifact
Freq.
1
2
3
test pits
test pits
test pits
whiteware, flow transfer printed
whiteware
ironstone
2
2
3
4
test pits
glass, bottle
16
2 blue with straight rim &
chicken foot design, 1
scalloped rim & fancy
moulding, 1 blue with
impressed curved lines, 1
blue with straight rim and
curved lines/no moulding
9 blue, 2 black
39 blue, 2 brown, 1 black
3 wheat design
sleigh bell
fluted design
9 dark olive "black glass", 9
aqua, 1 clear, 1 brown
"milk" glass
metal hook
1 shell, 3 butchered
Comments
1 Kettle Point chert;
unidentifable
Comments
1 Onondaga chert
Comments
1 Onondaga chert; 1
utilized edge
Comments
blue
5 aqua, 4 brown, 4 clear, 3
green ( 1 machine made)
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5
6
7
8
9
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
glass, window
faunal remains
nail, cut
nail, wire drawn
zipper
6
7
4
8
1
10
11
12
13
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
recent material
metal buckle
misc. metal hardware
misc. metal
2
1
2
1
55
Artifact
Freq.
Location 11 (AfHi-350)
Cat #
Context
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
test pits
whiteware, edged
whiteware, painted
whiteware, transfer printed
whiteware, banded
yelloware, banded
whiteware, sponged
whiteware, stamped
pearlware
whiteware
ironstone, moulded
ironstone
porcelain
earthenware, red
stoneware
unknown ceramic type
white clay pipe bowl
faunal remains
glass, bottle
glass, window
nail, cut
6
1
2
1
1
1
1
5
27
1
1
1
8
2
2
1
3
7
3
9
83
3 burnt
bottom of tin can, foil seal
from bottle
horse harness
nut and bolt
Comments
3 blue with scalloped rim &
impressed curved lines, 2
blue with straight rims, 1
blue fragment
green, black
1 brown, 1 blue
brown, blue bands
white band
blue
blue
wheat design
plain white
1 burnt
7 aqua
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