Kaldele Archaeology Project
Glen MacKay (NWT Archaeological Permit 2009‐016)
The goal of the Kaldele Archaeology Project was to map and characterize historic features at two log house villages in the vicinity of Kaldele, or Taltheilei Narrows. This work was carried out in the context of a larger project organized by the Łustelk’e Dene First Nation (LKDFN) to assess the heritage and interpretive values of Kaldele and document oral history related to the village sites.
The two villages at Kaldele – located on either side of the narrows – were occupied in the first half of the 20th century. The older village contains five partially collapsed cabin features, as well as additional structures such as a dog yard, outhouse, etc. The remains of four cabins and associated structures mark the location of the newer village.
Our assessment of the Kaldele village sites – conducted in collaboration with the LKDFN – included detailed mapping of all of the village features, recording of the architectural details of the log buildings and photo‐documentation of all structures and associated features. In addition, the LKDFN conducted detailed interviews with elders that lived at these villages in the historic period.
This project resulted in the recording of five new archaeological sites. In addition to the two historic village sites, we also recorded two lithic scatters and a tent ring.
(Edited by Shelley Crouch, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre)
