Sheguiandah

Coordinates: 45°54′36″N 81°55′30″W / 45.91°N 81.925°W / 45.91; -81.925

Sheguiandah is a Paleo-Indian archaeological site on the northeastern shore of Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin District, Ontario, Canada. It was originally discovered in 1951 by Thomas E. Lee,^[1] who led excavation teams for the next four years. He estimated the earliest occupation date of about 30 000 years BP, as well as noting Paleo-Indian and Archaic artifacts dating to about 10,000 BCE. Public interest in the finds was so high that it contributed to passage of legislation in 1953 to protect archeological sites in Ontario.^[2]

The site was studied later by other teams of specialists. In 1992 archeologist Peter L. Storck and geologist Patrick Julig led a team doing additional excavations. Drawing on new material from botany and related disciplines, they concluded that a more conservative estimate was justified, and estimated the site was almost certainly occupied 9 500 years BP by Paleo-Indians, making it significant in North American archaeology and the archaeology of Ontario. They also said that more research needed to be done.^[3]

The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1954.^[4][5]

  In his book 'Ancient Traces' Michael Baigent wrote that many geologists visited the site, observing the excavations, and all agreeing on stratification data.
  Lee determined that all implements were at least 65,000 years old, and some as much as 125,000 years old.
  Both Lee, and the director of the National Museum of Canada were fired for their unorthodox 'theories'.
 

References

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