Uncovering the
roots of
civilization in
Alberta’s sandbox
For decades, the Athabasca oilsands deposit has provided a wealth
of energy to the world. For more than one hundred years, its
industrial potential has been recognized. Thousands of years ago,
it was home to something else—people known as the Ancient
Hunters.
Because of all the proposed and realized oilsands development that has spanned the last few decades, industry has conducted a substantial number of archeological surveys in the
Athabasca area. That’s because any development on Crown
lands requires a historical resources impact assessment.
These surveys have identified the highest density of pre-contact
archeological sites in Alberta, and one of the highest in North America.
The work has uncovered important information about the life of people
in this region since the beginnings of civilization.
“It was a very intensive settlement,” says Dr. Brian Reeves, president
and principal archeologist with Lifeways of Canada. Reeves and
Lifeways have been conducting archeological surveys in the Athabasca
region since the early 1970s. “There is very significant archeology here
that relates to when the world was young.”
