A newly analyzed piece of charcoal from an archaeological site near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, suggests the area was a long-term settlement for Indigenous people around 11,000 years ago—1,000 years earlier than previously believed.
According to the Sturgeon Lake First Nation (SLFN), radiocarbon dating of charcoal from a hearth along the North Saskatchewan River confirms human habitation dating back approximately 10,700 years. Researchers, who shared their early findings with the Âsowanânihk Council in January, believe the settlement emerged shortly after glaciers receded 10,000 years ago.
University of Saskatchewan professor Glenn Stuart noted that the findings align with Indigenous oral histories describing ancient floods and a stable landscape that early inhabitants would have utilized. SLFN elders also emphasized the site’s significance as a prime location for migratory animals, including bison, making it an ideal recurring campsite.
SLFN has called for protections to preserve the site, recognized as one of North America’s oldest Indigenous settlements. A cultural interpretive center is also in the planning stages to honor its historical importance.
Source: Swifteradio.com
