Canada

Donaldson site

Woodland-period fishing station in Bruce County, Ontario

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

The Donaldson site is an archaeological site in Ontario that was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1982. The 3-acre (12,000 m2) site is the largest within the Saugeen complex, and is representative of typical habitation and mortuary practices of the Woodland period before the European discovery of the Americas, from about 200 BCE until 700 CE. It suggests that Bruce County and Huron County have been inhabited by Algonquian speakers for millennia. The Donaldson site was used primarily as a "seasonal harvesting station", mainly for fishing. It also may represent the earliest instance of broader social groups more characteristic of the Late Woodland period.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Radiocarbon-dated occupation

c. 200 BCE–700 CE

Excavation by Thomas Lee

1940s and 1950s

First documented discovery

1947

Excavation by James V. Wright

1960

Excavation by William Finlayson

1971

National Historic Site designation

1982-06-12

Canadian Register listing

2013-03-27

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Burial and Funerary Structures

GravesCemeteriesBurial Mounds
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

HousesVillages
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial MoundsSoil Layers
category

Food Production and Processing Features

Hearths
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

Canada

Coordinates

44.51° N, -81.33° E