A FLAKE TOOL AND A WORKED ANTLER FRAGMENT FROM LATE LAKE AGASSIZ

A crude stone chopper and a worked left antler fragment have been recovered from Lake Agassiz II beds near Morson, Rainy River District, Ontario. The stone chopper resembles other stone implements surface collected in Rainy River District. The antler fragment is identified as probably Alces alces, and has been dated by 14C at 5 898 B.C. ± 423 years. The antler fragment shows two opposed dorsal and ventral grooves and other signs of working by Homo, the toolmarks in the grooves and on the shaped surfaces suggesting the use of a beaver-tooth adze and a hand ax respectively. This is believed to be the oldest dated report of North American Alces coeval with Homo.