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Archaeology in Newfoundland and
Labrador 1997
Edited by K. Nelmes
Burnside Heritage
Foundation Incorporated, Activity Report for 1997 Economic Initiative*
Laurie McLean
BURNSIDE HERITAGE GOALS FOR 1997
Archaeological research is a
vital component of Burnside Heritage Foundation (BHF) activities and also
contributes to a dynamic tourist attraction by guaranteeing fresh new
information to be passed on to tourists each year. Therefore small-scale
excavations were conducted at the Charlie site, the biggest section of the
Aboriginal quarry, as construction proceeded on the hiking trail.
At the Beaches site a 140'
long fence was to be erected along the edge of a cluster of Beothuk Indian
mammateek (house) remains and a short boardwalk was to be built
through these former structures in order to permit close perusal by
tourists while minimizing accidental destruction of the former houses. Two
birch bark covered mammateek replicas were also to be built outside
these structural remains to help visitors envision what this former
settlement looked like. Picnic tables were to be placed at the site, a
toilet was to be replaced and a number of signs explaining the Beaches'
significance were to be painted and hung there. If time permitted,
small-scale test excavations were to be undertaken in one of the former
Beothuk Indian houses that has not been excavated to date.
This ambitious schedule (and
more) might have been completed if the desired projects could have been
started in late spring or early summer. The Burnside Interpretation Centre
was opened by June 22, but the infrastructure activities did not begin
until late July, and although work continued for 22 weeks until December
12, very poor autumn weather limited boat travel to Bloody Bay Cove and
the Beaches. The results of the 1997 season are described in detail below.
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Figure 1.
Burnside Heritage Foundation, Inc.: Study Area |
IMPACT OF BLOODY BAY COVE TRAIL ON
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Bloody Bay Cove (BBC) is an
immensely rich archaeological area, predominantly concerning artifacts
resulting from the primary stages of stone tool manuafacturing that
occurred between 5000 and 300 years ago. The BBC hiking trail was built to
facilitate the BHF's long-term management of these cultural resources,
incorporating archaeological research with public interpretation/access.
The careful design and approach to manufacturing this trail, paying much
attention to environmental concerns, are additional selling points that
patrons of this sort of tourist attraction appreciate and are interested
in supporting.
BBC's archaeological remains
are spread over 18 hectares and much remains to be learned about this
quarry. The destruction of any part of this record would reduce our
ability to decipher the 5000 years of human activity that are encapsulated
there and subsequently impair the BHF tourism product. Excavation of post
holes for the boardwalk and steps on either side of the Howard site
produced a few chipped stone artifacts and stone flake byproducts
resulting from making such objects. These artifacts were collected
following procedures used in archaeological excavations and were
catalogued accordingly. Their discovery served to expand the boundaries of
the Howard site well beyond the three metre diameter it formerly presented
within the stream bed. The discovery of artifacts underground on the steep
slope north of the Howard site provided additional proof that the BHF path
does follow an original Aboriginal route from the stream to the Charlie
site.
Similarly, excavations of
post holes for the boardwalk near the top of the Charlie steps also
produced artifacts. Given the wealth of artifacts known to exist at the
Charlie site, their presence was not as surprising as were the Howard site
objects. However, in order to maintain the integrity of an archaeological
site, all known artifacts must be acounted for so as to confirm the
presence or absence of variations in form, material, location and other
questions. Also, the new Charlie site steps will actually help protect
this resource as visitors and workers will no longer have to walk directly
on artifacts lying on the surface of the site.
Another positive impact of
the Bloody Bay Cove construction projects was the opportunity for
small-scale excavations to proceed simultaneously. One 1 x 1 m square was
excavated in a previously untested part of the Charlie talus slope in
1997, yielding thousands of artifacts and stone chips. The location of
many artifacts from deep in this square raises the possibility that people
were removing stone from this cove previous to 5000 years ago which is the
agreed upon date for the earliest human occupations of Bonavista Bay and
insular Newfoundland. We know that Labrador has human occupations dating
to almost 9000 years ago, but evidence that people lived in Newfoundland
prior to 5000 years ago would be very important information.
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Figure 2.
Aerial Photo of Bloody Bay Cove.
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A
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Location of BHF wharf
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B
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Location of first set
of steps
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C
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Location of boardwalk
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D
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Location of Bridge
over brook
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E
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Location of Howard
site steps
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F
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Location of Charlie
site steps
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S
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Archaeological sites
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- - -
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Hiking trail
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CONCLUSIONS
The BHF's accomplishments
bring it to a level of tourism development sufficient for marketing on the
largest possible scale. The completion of the Bloody Bay Cove hiking trail
will permit even relatively inexperienced outdoors people to enjoy the
archaeological and natural qualities of this location. This trail is a key
element in a network of facilities, including the Long Chute Lookout, the
BHF Interpretation Centre and BHF wharves in Burnside, Bloody Bay Cove and
the Beaches, that lead tourists along an increasingly detailed explanation
of aspects of Newfoundland heritage. Finishing touches applied to the Long
Chute Lookout in 1997 will enable tourists to obtain an informative
introduction to the BHF tourism package and encourage them to visit the
Burnside centre and subsequently participate in the archaeological boat
tour.
A number of characteristics
combine in offering a unique tourist experience at Burnside:
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Important archaeological
sites, including the Beaches where human occupations have been
radiocarbon dated to 5000 years ago, making it the oldest known
archaeological site in Newfoundland. Information gathered from the
Beaches and neighbouring sites, including the Bloody Bay Cove quarry,
which is one of the largest Aboriginal quarries in the province,
reveal some of the incentives that first resulted in people staying in
this region and remaining until present times.
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The unspoiled natural
environment of the BHF study area makes the boat tour attractive for
people only marginally interested in archaeology and heritage-related
issues.
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The BBC trail includes
impressive woodworks over rugged terrain that many people will find
interesting.
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The BHF's environmental
concerns, including protecting the natural environment while providing
public access to unspoiled areas and building the 90 m long retaining
wall at the Beaches to eliminate erosion of this important site, are
activities that strongly appeal to the type of tourists expected to
patronize the BHF.
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The BHF attempts to
deliver quality public interpretation, including detailed discussions
with their staff archaeologist and interpreters. The latter are are
Eastport Peninsula residents, many of whom have been with the
Foundation since 1994 and have a good grasp of culture-tourism issues,
espectially as these relate to the BHF. Also, the use of local people
as interpreters provides the opportunity for visitors to learn about
life in traditional Newfoundland from its current residents.
FUTURE BHF ACTIVITIES
BHF tourism is a dynamic
attraction whose message changes from year to year as new archaeological
information is obtained. The Foundation's ability to deliver this message
has improved each year as required infrastructure was added in key areas.
The Foundation plans to maintain this developmental course over the next
few years through the following projects:
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Further archaeological
excavations at the Beaches, the Bloody Bay Cove quarry and other
archaeological sites.**
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Continued surveying of
the coast and mainland around Burnside, verifying the presence or
absence of archaeological sites at specific locations.**
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Extend the Beaches site
retaining wall approximately 10 m to protect a section of the site
where erosion continues.
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Build a number of mammateek
replicas at the Beaches site.**
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Build a protective fence
at the Beaches site.**
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Build a boardwalk to mammateek
remains at the Beaches site.**
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Build a viewing platform
on a high hill overlooking the Beaches site.**
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Build a visitors shelter
in Bloody Bay Cove.
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Build a new
interpretation centre in Burnside.
NOTES:
* The present text is a much abbreviated version of the actual report
submitted under the same title. Editor's note.
**Planned for 1998.
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