Archaeology and Vesselquesting
The first question that comes to mind is “what the heck is vesselquesting”? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is a bit lengthy (but here goes). Initially, my main interest in archaeology was searching for spearpoints from the earliest time period. However, this interest was soon eclipsed by my fascination for all things pottery. Over time this has developed into a desire for me to find an intact clay pot. In other words, my archaeological Holy Grail would be to find a complete vessel (pot). My specific and ongoing “quest” for the complete “vessel” eventually was referred to (and not affectionately) by my wife as, the vesselquest.
So, although not a dictionary accepted word, vesselquest is an accurate description of my archaeological activites on many levels. In particular, the main geographical focus of my research is on a large inland lake known as Lac Seul. This waterbody has a shoreline distance of 4800 kilometers and touches on (in whole or in part) 34 separate borden zones. In order to conduct any quality archaeological work in such a location, it is pretty much essential to utilize a boat (also referred by some as a vessel).
In my case I am fortunate enough to own a vessel capable of launching a variety of quests. This 54 foot houseboat provides transportation (crew and equipment) and accommodation on site with amenities such as propane barbeque, complete kitchen, bathroom and hot shower. It also functions as lab for processing and analyzing artifacts. It is an ideal platform for conducting archaeological work on a lake such as Lac Seul. The name of the boat is, of course, Vesselquest.
On August 27 2015, I was joined for a weekend expedition by a contingency from Lakehead University consisting of (left to right) Clarence Surette, Jamie Steinberg, Cory Vickruck, Kelsey Pennanen, Kayleigh Speirs and Zebedee Kawei.
August 2015 Vesselquesting captain and crew.
Once loaded with gear and provisions, the boat slipped away under the cover of darkness. During this late night voyage, Kelsey related the story of telling a friend that she coming up to Lac Seul to come out on the houseboat to do some archaeology. Their response was “So you are going vesselquesting”. This, to my knowledge, is the first use of the word vesselquest as a verb. However, creating a verb from a made up word does not answer the original question. “What the heck is vesselquesting”?
From my perspective, (and taking creative licence as a co-creator of the whole vesselquest thing), it does not merely refer to some people heading out on a boat to have fun looking for an intact clay pot. Although a good quantity of merriment was experienced on the trip, a tremendous amount of quality archaeological work was also carried out in a short period of time.
Digging and screening shovel tests along a grid layout within the forested interior.
On the first day, a total of 42 shovel tests were dug in a heavily forested area. The sample size of each test was 50 square centimeters and the soils were sifted through a nested ½ inch to ¼ inch screen. The work was physically demanding and the crew worked hard. By early afternoon the quota of test pits were completed.
Exciting time finding pottery in the test pits
Shoreline excursion to the Sheild Archaic site (EaKa-3)
This allowed us time to tour and surface collect along the eroded shoreline of other sites in the area including EaKa-3 which was worked on by J.V.Wright in 1962. The data he collected from his excavations at this site are included within the publication “The Shield Archaic”.
The following day, we started digging two units in a different area of the site adjacent to a test pit dug in 2012 that yielded a significant amount of pottery. The units were each 1 meter in size but dug in quads taken down in 2cm levels. The combined units were dug as a continuous block by level.
Complete team effort as two unit excavation is undertaken at co-ordinate 20-V V
Glacial subsoil was reached at the bottom of level 5 (10 cm bsl). It took some time to clear the brush and set up gear on the first day so work wrapped up for the day at the completion of the third level.
The next day the last two levels were finished, units were backfilled and clean-up was completed by late morning with the boat departing soon after. A total of 375 artifacts were recovered from the two units excavated consisting of 127 lithics, 171 pottery sherds, 73 bone fragments and 4 other (2 glass pieces, 1 metal button, and 1 bullet in metal casing).
Logging in artifacts as the excavation proceeds
Artifact recoveries from Unit 1, northeast quad, level 3
Difficulties were encountered on the trip as well. For example, on the morning of the first day the digging was carried out in the rain. Furthermore, tree roots were frequently encountered (some of them quite thick) which made progress difficult.
Machete girl taking out a troblesome tree root
Multi-tasking coffee drinking/boat driving skills
Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. The above tasks are being carried out by skilled professionals
However, the most noteworthy hardship was enduring the all night sonic percussion of Clarence’s snoring (which proved to be more than just a mild annoyance for some). The solution to avoiding the potential mutiny was relocating Clarence to a tent pitched at the back of the boat.
Fishing off the boat behind Clarence’s new bedroom
Cruising back to port after a weekend of “vesselquesting”
Other than this, we all got along well. The duties of meal preparation, cooking and then clean-up were shared by everyone. Despite days packed full of archaeology, there was still time for fishing, swimming and some hilarious “game of things” sessions. It was a memorable event for all participants. People coming together to share their passion for archaeology create a legendary experience. This is vesselquesting.
