Washademoak Lake

The Washademoak Lake Chert Source

Research Conducted By
David W. Black
Department of Anthropology,
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
and
Lucy A. Wilson
Department of Physical Sciences,
University of New Brunswick, Saint John

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History, Geology and Archaeology

The Washademoak Lake chert source was first described in pring by Abtaham Gesner, New Brunswick's first provincial geologist, in 1841. In 1873, Loring W. Bailey, who taught at UNB, described the geology of the chert source and the surrounding area. In 1900, George F. Matthew, another geologist, published an archaeological study of the chert source. Despite these early scientific accounts, until recently the chert source received little attention from archaeologists and geologists in the twentieth century.

Washademoak multi-coloured chert apparently formed the floor of tha shallow sea during the Mississippian geological period (345-320 million years ago). The sea floor subsequently was uplifted to form part of the New Brunswick Lowlands. Later, the chert was exposed by erosion related to the formation of the St. John drainage system and Washadomoak Lake.

Archaeological evidence indicated that Native people living in the lower St. John River Valley, ancestors of the Maliseet people (Wolastoqiyik), used chert from Washademoak Lake during the Woodland period (1000BC to 1600AD). At present there is no evidence that the chert was used during earlier (Archaic) times, and little evidence that the chert was used ourside traditional Maliseet territory.

Recently, the chert source and archaeological sutes adjacent to tit have been examined by archaeologists from UNB. This interest was stimulated, in part, by the excavation of the Jemseg site. Chert from the Washademoak source was the most common material used by Native people at Jemseg, especially during the Early Woodland period, accounting for about 30% of the Jemseg lithic assemblage. Further research into the geology of the chert source and the archaeology of this distinctive lithic material is underway.

The Chert:

Washademoak multi-coloured chert(a material that 'rockhounds' refer to as 'chalcedony') is composed almost completely of micro-crystalline silica. The chert occurs as both translucent and opaque varieties, and in a range of colours from black, through blue and brown, to red and orange. High-quality pieces have a pronounced conchoidal fracture. Native people used the chert to make flaked stone tools, such as scrapers, bifaces and knives.

The Chert Source:

The Washademoak Lake chert sources is the only primary bedrock source of shert known to have been used by Native People. The source is located at Belyeas Cove on the south shore of Washademoak Lake in Queens County. Washademoak multi-coloured chert occurs as lenses and nodules eroding from bedrock on the margins of the cove. Pieces of high-quality chert could be collected with out the need for laborious quarrying.

Reference:

Black D.W., and L.A. Wilson. 1999 The Washademoak Lake Chert Source, Queens County, New Brunswick. Archaeology of Eastern North  America, 27: 81-108.

Acknowledgements:

This research has been supported by the Department of Anthropology, UNB, Archaeological Services of New Brunswick and the Jemseg Crossing Archaeological Project; and conducted with the co-operation of the Department of Geology and Electron Microscopy Unit, UNB. 

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