UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
A Prehistoric Soapstone Quarry in Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland
by
John Christopher Erwin
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY
CALGARY, ALBERTA
AUGUST, 2001
© John Christopher Erwin 2001
ABSTRACT
Fleur de Lys 1 (EaBa-1), the prehistoric soapstone quarry in northeastern
Newfoundland has been the subject of archaeological interest for almost
a century. While initially believed to be Beothuk in origin (Howley 1915),
Diamond Jenness suggested in his synthesis "The Indians of Canada" (1932),
that the numerous carvings along the exposed soapstone outcrops in Fleur
de Lys, Newfoundland, might be attributable to his newly discovered Cape
Dorset culture. Although many researchers have commented upon the significance
of the quarry, little archaeological evidence had ever been cited to support
claims concerning the nature, use and importance of this site until the
1980s. Despite the lack of any major excavation, the quarry's significance
went unquestioned throughout most of this time due to the fact that it
was the only known Dorset soapstone quarry of its kind. Field investigations
conducted between 1997-2000 and ongoing analyses have (1) demonstrated
that the extent and complexity of the quarry deposits exceed all previous
descriptions; (2) defined the Dorset quarrying and vessel fabrication tool
kit by way of a four stage reduction model; and (3) indicated that the
quarry was primarily utilized by local Dorset groups who occupied the White
Bay region of northeastern Newfoundland.