Esker south of Snap Lake, east of archaeological site KjNu-11and west of gravel pit.

Jean Bussey of Points West Heritage Consulting Ltd. conducted archaeological investigations for De Beers Canada Mining Inc. at their Snap Lake Project in 2003.   The archaeological work was conducted under a Class 1 NWT Archaeologists Permit.  

Because no new development areas have been identified, investigations were limited to site monitoring and a tour with representatives of the North Slave Metis Alliance (NSMA), Fred Turner and Len Turner.   Kevin Le Drew of De Beers was also part of the tour.   Past archaeological reconnaissance relating to this proposed mine has resulted in the discovery of 53 archaeological sites, most of which are sufficiently distant from proposed development that no further investigation is required. Two sites threatened by development activity were previously mitigated.   One of these sites, KkNv-6, is adjacent to the Snap Lake winter access road and was revisited in 2003 in company with the NSMA representatives.   At the recommendation of the NSMA representatives, De Beers has arranged for the erection of protective markers on the portage where KkNv-6 is located.

Archaeological site KkNv-6 near a portage on the Snap Lake winter access road.

The Snap Lake winter access road was flown during the NSMA tour, which permitted aerial monitoring of archaeological sites in the immediate vicinity.   There have been no revisions to the route examined previously for archaeological resources and there is no evidence of any impacts to archaeological sites along it.   KkNv-6 and nearby KkNv-7 were visited on the ground.   A few unworked flakes exposed since 2001 were encountered on surface of KkNv-6; all artifacts were left in situ .  

Also examined from the air were the 10 archaeological sites located on the esker south of Snap Lake.   There is no evidence of any disturbance in the vicinity of these sites.   Diamond development activity is restricted to a gravel borrow and the winter access road leading to it. The gravel pit was visited on the ground during the archaeological tour and the closest site, KjNu-11, was examined by Bussey. It is located approximately 300 m to the west of the gravel pit and is intact.