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In
July 2005, students of the Memorial University
Archaeological Field School returned to Cow Cove 3 (EaBa-16)
for a fourth consecutive year of excavations at this multi-component
Palaeoeskimo site. A total of 18 units were excavated by the
participants in two seperate operations. A southern operation,
situated along an ancient beach ridge, revealed grey and purple
rhyolite waste flakes, suggestive of flintknapping activities near the
water's edge during the period of the Dorset occupation. As in 2004, the spatial distribution of the
deposits in
this area appear discreet by material type, and are indicative of open
air
activity areas. While preliminary attempts at re-fitting
analysis have yet to provide positive results, the large size of the
flakes, and
their distribution is suggestive of tool manufacturing processes from
locally-available materials.
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Excavation
of a northern operation, situated adjacent the Dorset dwelling in
relatively shallower deposits, contained fewer artifacts and flakes.
Nevertheless, the excavation of
this area
is important in distinguishing the physical extent to which the site
was utilized during the earlier Groswater occupation. From the study of
the
spatial distribution of Groswater materials in this area of the site,
it would appear that the area of the 2005 excavation represents the
approximate center of Groswater activity at Cow Cove 3. On the basis of
distribution plots of Groswater materials, which indicate little, if
any, discreetness in patterning, it is tentatively concluded that the
remnants of the Groswater occupation were scattered by the
subsequent Dorset use of this area. As in previous years, no
archaeological features could be attributed to the Groswater occupation
of the site.
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Upon the
completion of the initial week of field activities, during
which everyone participated, students then began training in the
laboratory portion of the field school. This was accomplished by
way of a daily rotation of participants between lab and field
activities. Laboratory work during the 2005 field season was conducted
in the comfort of the spacious and air-conditioned facilities of
the Earth Sciences Research Station, located in the town of Fleur de
Lys. Students sorted, cleaned, identified and catalogued all of the
materials which they excavated. In total, the students processed
approximately 3000 specimens which were added to the Cow Cove 3
artifact database, which now contains approximately 8000 cataloged
specimens from the four seasons of excavation.
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