The Point of Naomikong Point

Created by wind,rain and other geological forces, I can not say how long I have been here. I measure time differently, as do so many of those that have visited me. My shores have changed over the centuries, the water coming closer, the edges fading away. I suppose one could say I have lost weight. I have both nurshied and sheltered those that came to visit as well as been nurished by them. I've watched the changes, in the weather, in the life forms that have used my shores, the plants, and the animals, but it is the one called "man" that you are most interested in right now.

I have seen his tears, heard his laughter and watched him grow and learn. Always returning to my shores for the things I could offer him. One of those things I can offer to you as well. Knowldege. While man of long ago learned different things, it is still knowledge his decendants (you) have come to me for.

Picture 1: Lithic Flakes

Lithic flakes are left behind when life forms participate in flint knapping: using a stone/rock to chip of pieces of another rock in order to create tools. The pieces that are chipped off are reffered to as lithic flakes and range in sizes but are often small and not created naturally. I have watch many generations bang thier rocks, create thier tools, sit near my shores and teach the craft to the younger generations. I have watched the blood fall from mishits and seen the joy when a tool was created perfectly. I have seen mankind make better and better tools and seen the lives improve as the tools were improved. How many generations? How many people? That I can not say, or will not say. Every teacher, nurturer, caregiver, knows the best way to impart knowledge is to make the student figure it out for themselves. My shores hold many secrets. Will you be the one to uncover this information?

Picture 3: Prehistoric Ceramics

Many have believed that the ceramics from my shores (as well as across the continent) were created in for fish processing, but some have proved that they were used more for cooking than anything else (Skibo). Why are the cermaics found on my shores so important? These were the first cermics used in the area, and while not the oldest, pottery was not used in this area before (dated around 0 - 400 AD) (Skibo). These early shard of pottery, evidence of the early humans that came to visit me, evidence that ove the centuries I was important to them, and they were important to me.

Picture 2: Historic Ceramics

My how man has changed. His pottery has advanced and I like to think some of the beauty that inspired it, some of the knowledge that allowed them to advance to this type of pottery was because of me. I may not have taught him, I may not have given him the materials, but I have sheltered him and nurtured him over the centuries. The blue paint could have been inspired by my waters, though perhaps that is just my pride. I watched as the ceramics were used, holding food items, and felt the sadness as it fell to the floor and was broken, swept away and discarded. Little did that woman know generations later her ancestors would find the discarded broken pieces and learn about her life. I could tell you about the woman, about the man that owned those pieces but instead I will respect thier privacy and watch as the latest generation tries to find those secrects laying deep in my soil.

Picture 4: Metal Fishhooks

As I said, man continued coming to me. Soon he learned metalwork and how did that make his life easier! It is said I have some of the best fishing in the bay I am connected to, and perhaps that is why man came back again and again! Although there is no evidence that fishing was the primary occupation on my shores, it was important to those that wanted fresh fish to eat and trade with (Steinbring)(Wright).

Skibo, J., Malainey, M., & Kooiman, S. (2016). Early pottery in the North American Upper Great Lakes: Exploring traces of use. Antiquity, 90(353), 1226-1237. doi:10.15184/aqy.2016.169

Steinbring, John H (12/01/1970). "The Naomikong Point Site and the Dimensions of Laurel in the Lake Superior Region . Donald E. Janzen". American anthropologist (0002-7294), 72 (6), p. 1555.

Wright, J V (01/01/1971). "The Naomikong Point Site and the Dimensions of Laurel in the Lake Superior Region. Donald E. Janzen. University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Anthropological Papers No. 36, Ann Arbor, 1968. v + 141 pp., 12 figs., 21 pis., 17 tables, 2 appendixes. $3.00". American antiquity (0002-7316), 36 (1), p. 120.