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Canada - Nova Scotia - Louisbourg Public Archaeology Program PDF Print E-mail

Archaeology Field School

Louisbourg Public Archaeology Program

Application Deadline: 06/30/2006
Start Date:
08/07/2006
End Date:
08/18/2006
Multiple Dates:
Session 1: August 7-11and Session 2: August 14-18

University, Company, Institution

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada

Location of field School

Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
Canada

    Field School Overview

  • Excavation: Yes
  • Historic: Yes
  • Time Period(s) 18th Century French Fortress c.1713-1768
  • Rural: Yes
  • Drive to site: Yes

Project Directors

Rebecca Duggan and Dr. Bruce Fry, Parks Canada Archaeologists at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada in partnership with the Fortress Louisbourg Association.

Field School Description

The Louisbourg Public Archaeology Program provides a unique opportunity for archaeology enthusiasts to join supervised digs at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada. The 2006 season will focus on field study at the De la Valliere property which was occupied by French, British and New Englanders between 1720 and 1758. The program will begin with two 5-day field sessions in early to mid August. During each session, a crew of 10-12 participants will excavate a portion of the De la Valliere property, learn about archaeological field techniques, and attend presentations addressing current historical research at the Fortress. Although the crew will spend much of their time with trowels in hand, there will be ample opportunity for experiencing the sites and sounds of Fortress Louisbourg and exploring the rugged Cape Breton coastline.

Originally, Louisbourg was a large French settlement founded in 1713, fortified in the 1730s, besieged twice by New Englanders and the British, and finally demolished and abandoned by the British in the 1760s. Relatively untouched since the fall of the Fortress, the remnants of the colonial settlement have survived the centuries in a remarkable state of preservation.

Extensive archaeological excavations and historical research in the mid-twentieth century guided partial reconstruction of the fortified town and defensive walls. Approximately 25 percent of the Fortress has been brought to life and stands as the largest reconstruction project in North America. Three decades of archaeological and archival research has produced a staggering amount of information about eighteenth century colonial life at Louisbourg, but there s much more to discover! The Louisbourg Public Archaeology Program is a great opportunity to unearth the past.

Program cost: includes the 5 day session (training, fieldwork, labwork, morning presentations, field trip to siege sites), daily transportation to fortress from Visitors Center, daily lunch, free day pass to the fortress prior to program start, and 2 Period-style meals (lunch and dinner) at the Fortress = $650 CAD



Field school web site: www.fortressoflouisbourg.ca/ArchaeologyE/
Field School Size:
1-15
Minimum age:
18
Is prior experience required?:
No
Recommended experience:
Training will be provided, supervised excavation

Specialized skills you will have the opportunity to learn

Manual Mapping/drawing (plan views, profiles):
Yes
Traditional Photography:
Yes
Digital Photography:
Yes
Excavation Survey Techniques:
Yes
Interpreting stratigraphy:
Yes
Soils:
Yes
Lab work:
Yes
Artifact analysis:
Yes
Lab work on rain days?:
Yes

Is travel during free time restricted?:
No

Additional information for students:
Each day will begin with an informal information session where Parks Canada historians, constume designers, archaeologists, and curatorial staff will discuss current research findings about 18th century colonial life.

Academic, Credit Room and Board, & Tuition

Academic Credit: No
Room and Board Information:
Participants are encouraged to select accommodations from a variety of Louisbourg accommodation providers (inns, B&Bs, motels, and housekeeping cottages)
Details about accommodation options are listed on the registration page of the Louisbourg Public Archaeologty 2006 program website.



Room and board cost:
Rates range from $300 - $1100 (tax incl) CAD for 6 nights

 Recommended Readings:

Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn  Archaeology 2004
Steve Roskams Excavation 2001


Additional readings
 

 1. Fry, Bruce W. 1984. An Appearance of Strength. Research Publications, Parks Canada.

2. Moore, Christopher. 2000.Louisbourg Portraits. McLelland & Stewart.

3. Krause et al.1995. Aspects of Louisbourg. University College of Cape Breton Press.

4. McLellan, J.S. 1918. Louisbourg: From Its Foundation to its Fall. MacMillan and Co., Ltd.


Archaeology field school contact

Fortress Louisbourg Association
265 Park Service Road
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia B1C 2L2
Canada
Telephone: (902) 733-3548
Fax: (902) 733-3046
E-mail: folvol@auracom.com