View southwest of KkNv-6 showing markers installed for site   protection.

Jean Bussey of Points West Heritage Consulting Ltd. conducted archaeological investigations for De Beers Canada Mining Inc. at Snap Lake in 2004.  She previously conducted investigations on this property in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2003. In 2004, the investigations involved the examination or monitoring of previously recorded sites and limited new inventory.  Also working on this project were Bonnie Campbell of Points West and Darren Rabesca of the Dogrib Dene First Nation.

Past archaeological reconnaissance associated with the Snap Lake Project has resulted in the discovery of 53 archaeological sites, most of which are sufficiently distant from proposed development that no further investigation is required. Two sites judged to be threatened by development activity were previously mitigated. One of these sites, KkNv-6, is adjacent to the Snap Lake winter access road and was revisited in 2003 in company with representatives of the North Slave Metis Alliance (NSMA).  At the recommendation of the NSMA, De Beers arranged for the installation of protective markers on the portage where KkNv-6 is located (Photo 1). The positioning of these markers was examined in 2004 to ensure that the site was accurately identified.   

View south of KkNv-8 located north of Portage 2.

During the 2004 investigations, the entire length of the Snap Lake winter access road was flown to ensure no recorded archaeological sites had been disturbed.  During this over flight, a number of recorded sites were visited on the ground.  Three of the five sites recorded near Portage 1 were revisited, as were all three sites located near Portage 2.  At Portage 2, a few unworked flakes exposed since KkNv-6 was mitigated in 2001 were noted on surface, but were left in situ since the markers have provided added site protection. Also in this area, KkNv-8 was examined because of concerns that thin ice might require a revised portage in future. It was determined that KkNv-8 is on slightly elevated terrain (Photo 2) that would be easily avoidable and does not provide a suitable crossing for a winter road.  A number of sites associated with Portages 3 and 4 were revisited.  All sites examined are intact and are sufficiently distant from or far enough above the access road that they are not threatened by its use.  The sites near Portages 5 and 6 were not revisited, but were viewed from the air and have not been affected by use of the winter road. 

Also as part of the 2004 investigations, archaeological inventory was conducted at three locations. One survey involved a new portage located between the originally assessed Portages 2 and 3 on the Snap Lake access road.  This area was examined from the air and ground and is primarily suggestive of low archaeological potential.  Foot traverses were undertaken on two slightly elevated bedrock-based landforms, one within the portage and one to the west. No archaeological resources were encountered. The second inventory area involved a bypass to Portage 6 utilized during the winter of 2002-2003 when thin ice precluded the use of the original portage.  No archaeological evidence was located in the vicinity of this bypass. The third area of inventory involved the most northwesterly portion of the Snap Lake mine footprint. The shoreline in this area was walked for several kilometers and no archaeological sites were encountered.  The entire mine footprint has now been adequately assessed and provided KkNv-6 is avoided and the portages are not revised, no further archaeological investigation is required along the Snap Lake winter access road.