View south of protective markers at LcNs-133   near Lac de Gras camp.

In 2005, Jean Bussey of Points West Heritage Consulting Ltd. conducted archaeological investigations for the Joint Venture that operates the Tibbitt to Contwoyto (formerly the Lupin) winter road.  The winter road runs from the south end of Tibbitt Lake near Yellowknife to almost the north end of Contwoyto Lake in Nunavut.  Field investigations in the Northwest Territories portion of the winter road involved a multi-disciplinary inspection tour conducted in June and archaeological assessment of a number of proposed developments in July.  Olivia Donaher of Points West and Noel Doctor of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation assisted with the July investigations.  This is the fifth consecutive year that the Joint Venture has sponsored investigations as part of their commitment to ensure that archaeological impacts are avoided or minimized. 

 In 2001, an archaeological inventory was conducted and resulted in the discovery of 49 new archaeological sites and the revisit of 14 previously recorded sites near the NWT portion of the winter road.  Because the inventory was conducted nearly 20 years after construction of the road, some archaeological sites are near developed areas.  In 2002, all sites within 30 m of the winter road or related facilities were revisited and if threatened were subjected to site assessment and/or mitigation or were protected through the erection of markers.  As of the 2005 inspection tour, there are six sites in the NWT that are protected by markers. 

The major objective of the June 2005 field reconnaissance was to determine if markers had adequately protected sites during the winter when the road was in use. The markers erected at five sites consist of standard four-foot (1.2 m) wooden survey stakes that were pounded approximately 30 cm (1 foot) into the ground.  At the sixth site, because of the proximity of a winter road camp (Lockhart Lake Camp), Nuna Logistics arranged to install taller and more permanent metal markers with reflectors.  During the June 2005 inspection tour, it was noted that the stakes were primarily intact and no disturbances were evident at the protected sites.  The stakes at each site were re-pounded to ensure they would stand for another year.  All stakes were sprayed with fluorescent orange paint to make them more visible (Photos 1).  Also during this inspection, stakes were erected LeNs-27, a site that was not previously marked.

View northeast of existing gravel pit on West Bay; the proposed gravel pit will be located to the north and east of the existing pit.

It is recommended that the status of the markers and their ability to provide site protection be reviewed annually.  During this recheck it is recommended that any weakened markers be replaced, loose stakes be re-installed and the tops of all wooden markers be sprayed with orange paint. 

The second reconnaissance was undertaken in July 2005 to assess the archaeological potential of seven potential repeater stations, a possible gravel pit and proposed revisions to the north end of Portage 28.   Six repeater stations and one possible alternate location are located between Yellowknife and the Diavik Diamond Mine and are intended to improve communications.  Each location was examined and no archaeological sites were discovered.

Subsurface testing and surface examination was undertaken at the proposed gravel pit which is located in West Bay on Gordon Lake.  The proposed gravel pit is adjacent to an abandoned one used by a mine that was previously located in the vicinity (Photo 2).  This detailed examination did not uncover any archaeological sites. 

Safety concerns regarding a sharp corner around a bedrock knoll at the north end of Portage 28 have prompted Nuna Logistics to propose an alternate route in this area.  The archaeological investigations in the vicinity of Portage 28 consisted of foot traverses and the examination of natural exposures in all areas that might be affected by the proposed revision.  No archeological resources were encountered during this reconnaissance.

 No archaeological sites were found during the field inventory conducted in July and the protected archaeological sites revisited in June are intact; markers have been reinforced at each site to assist in protecting these locations.