Bead Hill archaeological site, Archaeological site in Rouge Valley Park, Toronto, Canada
Bead Hill is an archaeological site located on high ground where two streams meet, containing the remains of a historic village and burial grounds. The roughly 2.7-hectare area is protected within a national urban park and remains accessible for public exploration.
The settlement was founded between 1665 and 1687 as one of seven Seneca villages along Lake Ontario. An older campsite at the same location dates back to around 3000 BCE, showing human activity across thousands of years.
Artifacts found here reveal connections between Seneca communities and European newcomers through trade in glass beads and ceramic pipes. These objects show how exchanges with outsiders became part of daily life at the settlement.
The site is located within a protected park and is open to visitors with walking paths and information boards throughout the area. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven ground, as the terrain is hilly and can be muddy after rain.
This is the sole surviving intact 17th-century Seneca village remaining in Canada. The fact that people lived here continuously for over 5000 years makes it a window into how this land has been home to different peoples across vast stretches of time.
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