Archeological Investigation of a Knife Lake Siltstone Quarry on Amoeber Lake, Lake County, Minnesota

Abstract

Support from the Center for Community and Regional Research was used to conduct field archaeological investigations at the Amoeber 1 quarry and adjacent areas in the Knife Lake portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness during the 2011 archaeology field school (ANTH 4696). Six UMD students with two Federal archaeologists and the UMD instructor conducted survey (pedestrian and shovel testing) at three areas near Knife Lake. The Amoeber 1 quany locality was substantially increased and information on subsurface deposits obtained. Two adjacent lakes (Topaz and Cherry) were reviewed for potential quarries, as well as an area on Knife Lake; two new sites were recorded in the latter area. This project had a general objective of investigating the distribution of quarry sites on and near Knife Lake. The research potential of the Amoeber 1 site was expanded from the initial discovery during the 2010 field investigations. Additional work is needed to address specific research questions. Implications for public policy are that the Knife Lake siltstone bedrock deposits extend outside of Knife Lake itself and quarry/workshop sites are to be expected on nearby lake chains. Cultural resource management of this site and the potential for other sites in similar locations is mandated under Federal regulations; this research supports that effort.