Summary: | A total of nine lithic artifacts from sites HhOv-304, HhOv-305, and HhOv-323 were tested for possible protein residues. These sites were identified in the development area for the Birch Mountain Resources Muskeg Valley Quarry (MVQ), approximately 60 km north of Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta, Canada. Due to minimal preservation of organic remains, archaeological sites in this area are noted to be of uncertain age. Most sites are believed to pedate the period of increasing local muskeg development after 6000 BP. Protein residue analysis was undertaken to determine if proteins were present on the artifact surfaces that would provide information concerning processing/hunting of animals with these tools.
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