With experimental archaeology, Frédéric Hottin, from the Roussillon Archeology Museum, is trying to unravel the mystery of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. “They were distinct from others, like the Hurons or the Mohawks, by their language, their culture and perhaps also politically. Jacques Cartier had encountered them on his journey, but when Samuel de Champlain arrived at the same place [quelque 60 années plus tard], there was no one there. We do not know the reason for their departure from the St. Lawrence Valley. Was there an epidemic, a war? asks the archaeologist.
Part of the answer could be found in the tips of their arrows. The St. Lawrence Iroquoians almost exclusively used bone points, unlike the surrounding peoples, who used stone points instead. It is perhaps this choice which would have precipitated their fall; a bone spike is less effective in fighting the enemy. “I will try to find out if this hypothesis holds up,” says Frédéric Hottin.
The archaeologist called on the expertise of Martin Lominy to reproduce the points in bone and stone. Artifacts were studied to ensure that the points and arrows were similar in shape and weight. “Native people often fought with armour. This was made of wooden sticks intertwined tightly with cord made from plants like milkweed. It may seem primitive, but it was very solid and effective against arrows,” describes Frédéric Hottin.
If he does not necessarily believe that the adoption of bone points hastened the departure of the Iroquoians from the territory, he hypothesizes on this subject. “Maybe bone spikes are better at going through enemies’ armor while stone spikes will smash through armor?” That might explain their preference for bone spikes in combat…but not their sudden demise.
Preliminary tests were carried out by shooting arrows with different kinds of tips at blocks of ballistic gel, some of which were covered with a layer imitating the armor of the fighters. The continuation of this experiment will take place later in the year and will perhaps provide new leads.
Left: artifact, bevelled bone point discovered at the site of the McDonald Iroquoian village in Saint-Anicet. On the right, reproduction of a beveled bone point for experimentation. Images: Roussillon Archeology Museum and Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory
On the left, artifact of a triangular point in cut stone (chert) from Île Saint-Bernard, in Châteauguay. On the right, reproduction of a beveled bone point for experimentation. Images: Roussillon Archeology Museum and Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory
Tests for making beveled bone points using stone tools. Image: Roussillon Archeology Museum
First series of preliminary tests. Shooting with an Iroquoian type bow with reproductions of stone-tipped arrows and modern arrows for performance comparison. Image: Roussillon Archeology Museum
