A bifurcate base projectile point, from around 7500 BC, found during construction at Sandwich St. and Riverside Dr. (Photo by Maureen Revait)A bifurcate base projectile point, from around 7500 BC, found during construction at Sandwich St. and Riverside Dr. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Windsor

Oldest Windsor Artifact Found During Sandwich Roundabout Construction

Artifacts dating as far back as 7500 BC were unearthed during excavation of the roundabout at Sandwich St. and Riverside Dr. last summer.

Archaeologists found around 4000 artifacts in an intact soil layer that had not been touched since the 1800s.

Artifacts found during excavation work at Riverside Dr. and Sandwich St. Artifacts found during excavation work at Riverside Dr. and Sandwich St.

Archaeologist Jim Molnar says they found a projectile point which turned out to be the oldest artifact found in Windsor on record.

"This is called a bifurcate base point, so we know comparing the styles we know what kind it is and how old it is. So this is around 7500 BC," says Molnar.

Dean Jacobs with the Walpole Island First Nations says these artifacts show just how long their ancestors have been in the area.

"I think it's an opportunity for us, and a real responsibility to not only do the archaeological investigation but celebrate the artifacts and bring them to life because we're still here," says Jacobs.

Once the cataloguing is complete the City of Windsor will be the custodian of the artifacts. They will work with the Walpole First Nations and other groups to determine their permanent home.

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