Archaeological site.

Details of Site Location: Located on a low flat river bed of a tributary of Black Creek, on the west side of Jane Street one-quarter mile north of Wilson Avenue to the northeast of Black Creek Pioneer Village.

PDM: Borden # AkGu 11, easting 1,995, northing 4,215.

Boundary History: The site extended over 5 acres.

Historical Description: In 1948, Professor Norman Emerson identified this site as Woodland Iroquoian, a transition period 1000 to 1400 A.D. during which the Pickering Culture was developing agriculture. The change from food-collecting to food-producing had a profound effect on both the social and cultural aspects of people’s lives. Agriculture demands intensive labour for clearing fields and constant attention to keep down weeds and prevent birds and animals from consuming the crop. But with a relatively stable source of food that could be stored in quantity for winter use, there was no need for groups to split up during part of the year to search for food. The development of agriculture encouraged the establishment of larger, permanent villages, political sophistication, and community identity. The site was substantially damaged by the development of 1000 Murray Ross Parkway.

Relative Importance: As a large site, any remaining undamaged portions of it could contribute greatly to understanding of the transit­ional period between hunting and gathering and agriculture. This was one of a number of sites ranked by Victor Konrad as 5/5 in importance, and it remains so in its damaged state.

Planning Implications: Further archaeological investigation is warranted. The area should be flagged for protection until further investigation has been made. A visible plaque at this site is important to help Torontonians understand the depth and extent of aboriginal history in the city.

Reference Sources: Victor A. Konrad, The Archaeological Resources of the Metropolitan Toronto Planning Area: Inventory and Prospect (Department of Geography, York University, Discussion Paper Series #10, 1973); Roberta O’Brien, The Prehistory of South Central Ontario (Ministry of Culture and Recreation, 1980).

Acknowledgements: Ontario Archaeological Society, Toronto Branch; Maps Project; Province of Ontario Archaeological Database.