LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Alexander Mackenzie: Rivers
built 656 days ago
The analysis of archaeological specimens gathered in 1988 at the mouth of the Thunder River (MiTi-1), lower Mackenzie Valley, indicates that the locality's primary function was as a quarry/workshop. Historical and toponymic data show that this was likely the quarry identified by Alexander Mackenzie on July 24, 1789. Collections from the southwest Anderson Plain contain high proportions of Thunder River siliceous argillite, some obtained from beach gravels or till deposits while some was obtained from primary geological deposits. In collections from peripheral areas, Thunder River siliceous argillite is occasionally found and often consists of the end-products of lithic reduction. It is especially interesting to confirm the presence of Thunder River siliceous argillite in Mackenzie Delta Inuit sites. A critical evaluation of all available data shows that Alexander Mackenzie's journal was relatively accurate with respect to this lithic source.
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Personal characteristics ... influenced Mackenzie's failure. As minister of public works he spent up to 14 hours a day on ministry business. Inevitably, he neglected the leadership of his party. His pardoning of the followers of Louis Riel in the Red River Rebellion (which brought about the creation of the province of Manitoba) infuriated many people in Ontario. His support of an act that favored prohibition was not popular in Québec. When he made Dorion a judge in 1874, he lost his only French colleague who could act as leader in Québec.
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Without the guidance of Indians, Mackenzie would have been unlikely to reach the Western Sea. While crossing the Peace River watershed to the Fraser, they suggested to proceed overland, instead of continuing on the hazardous Fraser River. Mackenzie returned with the westward route mapped 117 days later.
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