Archaeological site.

Details of Site Location: The east side of Dufferin Street opposite Martin Ross Avenue, between Finch and Steeles.

PDM: Borden # AkGu 12, easting 623400, northing 4847800.

Boundary History: The size of this site and its boundaries can never be known.

Current Use of Property: Commercial development and housing.

Historical Description: It was in 1988 and 1989 that the area was developed and the site destroyed. Little likely remains for investigation or retrieval. As reported by Konrad in his survey, this was a campsite, probably of the Woodland period. The Woodland peoples lived from 1000 B.C. to around 400 B.C. This was a period in which new technologies were being developed. Owing to the destruction of the site and loss of material, little is known about it and there are some uncertainties about it.

Relative Importance: The area should be flagged to determine if there were other campsites nearby that could help to explain the period of use and the cultures involved. Konrad rated this site as 5/5 in importance and 5/5 threatened.

Planning Implications: Until the area has been investigated to shed light on the true nature of the destroyed site, nothing can be said about it and commemoration is impossible. This is not to suggest that local people would not be interested in learning about their predecessors: on the contrary. What is needed is good research and archaeological investigation in order to be able to tell the truth about the site, supported by evidence. The people living in this area have not had access to their own history, but interest in the area has been awakened by proposals affecting the airfield and the impact on surrounding areas. At the best of times, Toronto has a terrible record in archaeology, and this area is most needful and deserving.

Reference Sources: Victor A. Konrad, The Archaeological Resources of the Metropoli-tan Toronto Planning Area: Inventory and Prospect (Department of Geography, York University, Discussion Paper Series #10, 1973).

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