Below this horizon, a second occupation layer was marked by scrapers and flakes. This may correlate to the Late Paleo-Indian horizon at 30 cm depth on the east side. A second spear point similar in shape was found by the construction crew. It was located in the road bank, so original context is unknown. The entire hilltop was probably occupied over several millennia.
Stratified sites are rare in northeastern Minnesota, where soil deposition is typically slow.
The Hilltop area of Fish Lake Dam is therefore extremely important in learning about these early times. Excavations downslope by the river revealed a more complex situation. Both natural deposition from the river and recent human activities have complicated these deposits. Several fire hearths were uncovered in this area below the disturbance zone and extensively sampled. Copper pieces include a large bead, awl-like tools, and worked remnant pieces.