Cree Burn Lake Archaeological Site

Fort MacKay, Near

Street Address:
Community:	Fort MacKay, Near
Boundaries:
Contributing Resources:	N/A

ATS Legal Description:

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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):

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UTM Reference:

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Recognition

Recognition Authority:	Province of Alberta
Designation Status:	Provincial Historic Resource
Date of Designation:	1999/08/10

Historical Information

Built:	N/A
Period of Significance:	N/A
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Context:	HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE The Cree Burn Lake archaeological site is situated on the east side of the Athabasca River 60 kilometres north of the City of Fort McMurray. The site takes its name from a nearby backwater lake formed in an abandoned oxbow of the Athabasca River. The lake is known as Ena Kerin Ka (Burnt Cree) Lake to the Cree and Metis residencts of Fort McKay and Isadore's Lake to the Chipewyan residents. It is a traditional resource procurement area for fish, fowl, fur bearers, deer and moose, as well as for medicinal plants and berries. Wood buffalo seasonally frequented this area until about the mid 19th century, when over hunting resulted in their near extinction. Cree Burn Lake is an extremely large (Approximately 445 acres) internally complex site containing vast numbers of stone artifacts, cultural diagnostic tools, internal activity areas and in some areas stratifies cultural deposits associated with organic horizons. Cree Burn Lake is larger and more complex that the Beaver River Quarry site, a Provincial Historic Resource, located nearby.

Additional Information

Object Number:	4665-0144
Designation File:	DES 2010
Related Listing(s):
Heritage Survey File:	HS 16098
Website Link:
Data Source:	Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 2010)