Archaeological Impact Assessment of Quarry at KM 147 of Highway 7

Glen MacKay (NWT Archaeologist’s Permit 2015-017)

Under NWT Archaeologist Permit 2015-017, Glen MacKay of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) conducted an archaeological impact assessment (AIA) of a proposed quarry at KM 147 of Highway 7 (Liard Highway) on September 1-2, 2015. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will develop a quarry for granular materials at this location to use for highway maintenance. Alexander Murray and Baoquan An from DOT assisted with the AIA. Peter Marcellais of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band was the wildlife monitor for the project.

The AIA started with foot traverses of the quarry area. The quarry area consisted primarily of flat, featureless terrain. A high potential landform, consisting of a high terrace overlooking a wetland, was found near the west edge of the proposed quarry area. Shovel tests were excavated along the terrace edge where it came closest to the quarry boundary. No archaeological sites were found within the proposed quarry area.

(Edited by Shelley Crouch, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre)