Archaeologists use excavations and other techniques to gather clues in order to learn about cultural groups who lived in an earlier time period. The vast region of northwestern Ontario’s boreal forest provides a unique set of conditions which are challenging in terms of conducting archaeological research. This has limited the amount of overall research carried out in this area. However, as additional archaeological work is completed, the picture that is slowly emerging reveals that previous groups living within this landscape had a rich and dynamic cultural history. This section highlights Lac Seul and offers a glimpse into its past.