Places, paths and territories: Exploring the multifunctional nature of northeastern Ontario rock art

Summary

The rock art of northeastern Ontario is less well-known than its counterpart in northwestern Ontario. However, recent explorations of the numerous lakes and meandering rivers in the Canadian Shield have led to the identification of previously unknown sites, as well as to the proper documentation of previously known sites, thus increasing greatly the sample and allowing for the emergence of a more complex regional picture. As an example, the rock art of Temagami area is discussed. This large concentration of pictograph sites has enabled a rare regional study through which the multifunctional nature of rock art was revealed, as well as a gamut of sites ranging from private to public was identified. Rock art sites were sacred places. They were strongly associated with travel routes often acting as a landmark and a liminal place in a journey where the assistance of other-than-human persons could be solicited. Some prominent sites were suited for rituals where social boundaries were negotiated between the local Teme-Augama Anishnabai and non-band members. As an element of the animic landscape that served simultaneously a number of social and spiritual functions, rock art helped to structure relationships between people, other-than-human persons and places.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Methodology and Interpretation in the Archaeology of Rock Art

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 14791