W. D. (William Douw) Lighthall
A New Hochelagan Burying-ground Discovered at Westmount on the Western Spur of Mount Royal, Montreal, July-September, 1898
"A New Hochelagan Burying-ground Discovered at Westmount on the Western Spur of Mount Royal, Montreal, July-September 1898" by W. D. Lighthall is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book details the discovery of a prehistoric burying ground in Westmount, Montreal, which is believed to belong to the ancient Hochelagan people, a group associated with the Iroquois. Lighthall meticulously documents his findings, making significant contributions to the field of archaeology by providing insights into burial practices and the cultural history of the area. In this report, Lighthall recounts various excavations in Westmount that revealed multiple skeletons, suggesting a rich burial tradition among the Native American inhabitants. He notes the distinct positioning of the buried bodies, typically with drawn-up knees, and sometimes accompanied by finds such as a piece of white wampum, which suggests a funerary context steeped in emotion and cultural significance. The book includes detailed descriptions of skeletal remains, their conditions, and anthropological observations regarding their origins. Lighthall expresses hope for further discoveries that could illuminate the prehistoric lifestyles of the Hochelagan people, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of North America's indigenous history.