What’s Good Norfolk? 13,000 years of history unearthed in Haldimand-Norfolk as archaeological study reveals deep indigenous roots

Since 2007, the Haldimand-Norfolk region has been the focus of extensive archaeological research led by the University of British Columbia.

Speaking at council, the Ontario Representative John Benson explained why.

This research team have documented over 1,500 archaeological sites, providing clear evidence of continuous Indigenous occupation stretching back more than 13,000 years.

Haldimand-Norfolk was ideal for early settlers for many reasons.

Artifacts such as projectile points, knives, drills, and adzes have been uncovered during surface surveys on private farmland, painting a vivid picture of daily life, trade, and mobility in the region long before European contact.

The research has confirmed three major periods of pre-contact human activity: the Paleo, Archaic, and Woodland periods. Of these, the Archaic Period-spanning 8,000 years-was the most intense and long-lasting.

During this time, Indigenous societies grew in complexity and developed long-distance trade networks.

Artifacts from Haldimand-Norfolk have been chemically linked to far away places.

Though no human remains have been discovered during the local study—likely due to environmental degradation over time—the abundance and diversity of tools and cultural materials continue to provide invaluable insights.

Current research efforts at UBC involve analyzing the chemical makeup of chert samples to better understand trade routes and mobility patterns of Archaic peoples.

With each new discovery, this ongoing study helps piece together the rich and far-reaching story of Ontario’s earliest inhabitants.