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1,4000 Year Old Moccasin Found in Canada |
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Written by Xiuhcoatl
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Feb 18, 2006 at 07:58 PM |
1,400-year-old moccasin found in Canadian glacier
Thu Feb 16, 6:41 PM ET
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Archeologists studying melting
alpine ice for clues on early life in Canada's North have uncovered a
1,400-year-old moccasin, officials said on Thursday.
Researchers at first thought the artifact found in the southwest Yukon
in 2003 was a hunter's bag, but after cleaning and reassembling the
hide they realized it was the oldest aboriginal moccasin ever found in
Canada.
The discovery is considered especially important because it far
predates any European trade contact with the region, and it likely
belonged to the early Athapaskan people who lived in the boreal forests.
"It is a significant addition to the wealth of archeological artifacts
that have been found at Yukon ice patches," Yukon Culture Minister
Elaine Taylor said in a news release.
Researchers studying melting ice patches under a joint program between
the territory and local aboriginal groups have uncovered more than 180
hunting-related artifacts since the effort began in 1997.
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Archaeology 