Markers installed along the edge of existing portage near LcNs-133.

In 2003, 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.   Investigations were limited to a single field trip for the purpose of monitoring site markers installed in 2002.   This is the third year that the Joint Venture has sponsored investigations as part of their commitment to ensure that future archaeological impacts are avoided or minimized.  

In 2001, an archaeological inventory was conducted and resulted in the discovery of 55 new archaeological sites and the revisit of 14 previously recorded sites.   Six of these sites are situated in Nunavut and the rest are located in the NWT.   Because the inventory was conducted nearly 20 years after construction of the road, there were some sites within 30 m of developed areas and some sites have been disturbed.   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.   The four sites in the NWT at which markers were erected were: KiPb-2, KjPa-1, KkNv-9 and LcNs-140.   One site located in Nunavut, LhNr-5, was also staked in 2002 and rechecked in 2003.   During the 2003 investigations, all sites located near areas with current winter road activity were revisited to assess their status.

Markers used at KjPa-1 near Lockhart Lake Camp.

The major objective of the 2003 field reconnaissance was to determine if markers had adequately protected sites. The markers erected at three sites consisted of standard four-foot (1.2 m) wooden survey stakes with tops painted fluorescent orange.   On average, they were pounded approximately 30 cm (1 foot) into the ground. At KiPb-2 the stakes are at some distance from the actual site and are present only on the esker crest since they would be lost in snow cover on lower ground.   At KkNv-9 and LcNs-140, it was necessary to install markers immediately adjacent to the east side of each site because of the proximity of the winter road portages.   No stakes required replacement at KiPb-2, a few loose stakes were re-pounded at KkNv-9 and three were replaced at LcNs-140.   At KjPa-1, 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.   No disturbance was noted within the protected areas associated with these four sites.   Because the markers were successful in protecting these sites, another site (LcNs-133) threatened by road activity conducted during the winter of 2002-2003 was marked in a similar manner.    Orange flagging tape was added to both the old and new markers since the paint had faded over the winter.

Some of the wooden markers are showing signs of wear although they could last another year or two.   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 markers be sprayed with orange paint to make them more obvious.   No new tools were noted at any visited sites, but additional unworked flakes are evident on the surface of LcNs-133.   No artifacts were collected since the 2003 field investigations were conducted under a Class 1 NWT Archaeologists Permit.