Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC)

Fireplace

Our ancient plank houses had fireplaces built in each family compartment. At Qithyil, most families dug shallow fire pits directly into the floor. These have grey ash and burned orangeish soil. One family built a ‘flag-stone fireplace’ from flat stone, on top of which an open wood fire would be built. Ancient fireplaces often contain food remains, including charred seeds and bone.