Conclusions and Recommendations :

Although no definitive evidence of temporally sensitive artifacts were found at the two newly recorded sites, it is possible to identify more likely periods of occupation at sites in the study area.

During periods of neo-glacial expansion (see sections 1.3 and 1.4) the study area would have been a unlikely place to gather resources. At the full extent of neo-glaciation, local floral and faunal resources would have been adversely affected. Plant foods for human and ungulate populations would have dwindled during shorter than present growing seasons. The response of human populations would have resulted in shying away from high altitude resource areas. Use of some sub-alpine and alpine resources probably occurred, but the extent of which declined from pervious and later time periods of non-glacial conditions. Hence the time periods these sites were inhabited are more likely when expanded glacial ice was not a factor. Human occupation could have been possible at these sites during Old Cordilleran times 9,000-6,000, Charles culture phase times 5,000-4,000 B.P., Marpole phase times 2,350-950 B.P. and Late period times 950-300 radiocarbon years B.P. The absence of ground slate tools at any of these sites suggests that the age of these sites is more likely to be in the order of 9,000 to 2,350 radiocarbon years B.P.

The available ethnographic information of the area suggest that hunting and gathering were the main activities that took place during late summer to early fall. Mountain goat, deer and elk are the most likely animals hunted, while a variety of edible berries were harvested. Plants and animals of lesser importance may have also been exploited, but to a lesser degree.

Each of the two newly recorded sites are small. The surrounding landscape and surface features of the lithic scatters suggest that these sites are workshop areas related to hunting activities. Each site is located on a small ridge overlooking the surrounding terrain. These locations offer excellent vantage points across the sub-alpine meadows and higher alpine ridges and passes. Game could be easily monitored at each of the sites. The tops of ridges on which these sites are located are relatively level, are well drained and posses fair to well developed soils. The low surface density of artifacts at these sites indicate short term lithic reduction and processing of game were the main activites. The nature of the lithic material (Garibaldi glassy rhyodacite) at the sites indicates that the small flakes and flake tools were utilized for cutting, scraping and perforating during butchering of game.

It is also important to note that sites in high land areas do not have the same environmental variables associated with them as low land valley settings do (cf. Burtchard 1998; Fladmark 1985; Mack 1989;1998; McClure 1989; Mierndorf 1998; Reimer 1998; Snyder 1991; Vivian 1987). For example short duration stays in high land settings do not require the location close to water sources. Being close to year round snow pack and run off streams this environmental variable is not as important as it is in low land settings. All of the sites observed in the study area lay on top of ridges. These locales offer spectacular views of the surrounding terrain. In addition these ridges usually have slightly stronger winds which keeps insect pests to a minimum and posses well drained, relatively flat areas above a hummocky to steep landscape. In addition sites in the high mountain areas will be smaller in size but probably more spatially clustered than low land sites (cf. Reimer 1998).

All the sites in the study are small, and contain artifacts related to lithic quarrying, reduction and hunting. It is possible that the lithic source area of the Garibaldi Glassy Rhyodacite occurs at the headwaters of Ring creek. The headwaters of this particular creek is close to Garibaldi and Lava glaciers. The extent of material available from this source maybe limited to periods of non-glacial expansion and known to few in the past. It is also possible only the local Squamish people knew where and how to get material. It has been suggested that the distant location of this and other high elevations were controlled by particular groups of people (Choquette 1981; Fladmark 1985; McClure 1989).

It is recommended that any future archaeological investigations attempting to locate additional archaeological resources should:

1) Initiate further intensive survey, aimed at investigating ridges and passes,

2) Investigate areas that are adjacent to and outside of this study,

3) implement a sub-surface testing program within specific judgmental selected areas to determine where buried cultural deposits are, and

4) conduct detailed excavations or surface collections at all the sites present in the region in order to determine detailed evidence of periods of occupation.