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What is
Archaeology?
Archaeology is
the study of past human cultures.
In Newfoundland and Labrador archaeologists generally tend to concentrate
on one of two areas of research:
Unlike historians, who learn about the past through written records, or
anthropologists, who study living cultures, archaeologists gather their
information from artifacts and site features.
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What is an
artifact?
 An
artifact is any object that has been altered or used by humans. The
computer you are sitting at is a modern artifact.
Archaeologists are interested in much older artifacts, from the
precontact or historic past. Archaeologists study these objects in order to
understand and learn about the people who left them behind.
Archaeologists distinguish between artifacts and site features. Artifacts
are portable, like stone tools, bones, pots, or bottles.
Features are traces of humans that can not be moved, like fireplaces and firepits, house foundations, or wells.
Artifacts can tell a great deal about how people
lived in the past, but most of this information comes from the context in
which the artifact was found. For example, a single arrowhead can tell us that
people were in the area, but an arrowhead found along side other artifacts
and related features can tell us a great deal more about how these people
lived. That is why it is so important not to move artifacts when you find
them.
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What should you do if you find an artifact?
It is against the law to look for and dig up archaeological sites and artifacts in the
Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador. However, if you happen to find an
artifact or site while gardening, or out walking, you should always take careful
note of exactly where and when you found it, and then report it to the
Provincial Archaeology Office . They
will advise you on what to
do.
If you find an artifact you should not move, damage or interfere with it. It is illegal to sell or trade it, or remove it from the Province.
It is also illegal to bequeath artifacts in your will. It is the law that any artifacts you may have must be returned
to the Province by the person responsible for the administration of your
estate. You can find the legal details in the
Historic Resources Act.
The most responsible thing to do is turn the artifacts over to the
Provincial Archaeology Office,
they will then submit them to the Provincial Museum of
Newfoundland and Labrador so that they can be available to the
public as well as to students and scholars researching the Province's
past.
The Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador is the official repository for archaeological
artifacts. It was established for long term artifact curation, and has trained
archaeologists and conservators to ensure that the condition of the
artifacts does not deteriorate.
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Who owns the
artifacts?
Ownership of all artifacts rests with the Crown in trust for the people of
the Province. The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation sets
guidelines for their care and curation.
Artifacts cannot leave the Province without the Minister's permission, and
can never be bought, sold, bequeathed, or traded.
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Who does archaeology in the Province?
Many people conduct archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador, including
archaeology graduate students and professors from Memorial University, archaeologists working
with the Provincial Government, and private consulting archaeologists.
Each of the following groups are involved in various aspects of archaeology in the Province, and educating people about
archaeology: The Provincial Archaeology Office, the
Archaeology and
Ethnology Unit of the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, the
Archaeology Unit at
Memorial University of Newfoundland, and private consulting
archaeologists.
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The
Provincial Archaeology Office: The PAO
regulates all archaeological activity carried out in the Province. It issues permits to
archaeologists and houses the reports, records, photographs, and maps
resulting from this work. It is also the place to contact if you find
archaeological remains or if you are planning any activities which may
affect an archaeological site.
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The
Archaeology and Ethnology Unit of the
Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador: The Provincial Museum of
Newfoundland and Labrador is the provincial repository for all archaeological
objects found in Newfoundland and Labrador. It also provides public education on the prehistory and history
of the Province.
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The
Archaeology Unit at Memorial University
of Newfoundland and Labrador: The Archaeology Unit was
established to bring together scholars and students, with diverse
interests and backgrounds in archaeological research, from disciplines
including anthropology, history, folklore, and geography. The Unit is the
main training facility for archaeology students in the province, and the
faculty and students are very active in conducting archaeological work and
research in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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The
private consulting archaeologists in Newfoundland and Labrador work outside of government funded institutions
and carry out the majority of the Historic Resources Impact Assessments in the province.
They are professional archaeologists
who work closely with the PAO and other government departments as well as with
industry and Aboriginal groups to preserve the province's historic resources, especially where there is development of any sort, such as
construction. They are at the front line in educating industry and other
bodies that undertake development about the importance of preserving our
cultural heritage.
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Where can I find information on the
prehistory or history of Newfoundland and Labrador?
Visit the
Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador. Attend its public
archaeology lectures. You can also
contact the Provincial Archaeology Office.
Check out these pages on the World Wide Web:
Look for these titles in your bookstore or library:
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2001- The Beothuk. Newfoundland Historical Society, St.
John’s.
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1996 - A History and Ethnography of the Beothuk. McGill-Queen's University
Press, Montreal.
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1989 - Reports and Letters by George Christopher Pulling Relating to the
Beothuk Indians of
Newfoundland. Breakwater Books, St. John’s.
- 1989 - The Beothuk of Newfoundland: A
Vanished People. Breakwater Books, St. John’s.
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1977 - The Red Ochre People: How Newfoundland Beothuk Indians Lived. J.J.
Douglas Ltd. and
Douglas McIntyre, Vancouver.
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Pastore, Ralph
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1992 Shanawdithit's People: The Archaeology of the Beothuks. Atlantic
Archaeology Limited, St. John's.
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Pope, Peter E.
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Renouf, M.A.P.
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Tuck, James A.
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1976 Ancient People of Port au Choix: The Excavation of an Archaic Indian
Cemetery in Newfoundland. Institute of Social and Economic Research, St.
John's.
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1976
Newfoundland and Labrador Prehistory. National Museum of Man,
Ottawa.
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1989
Red Bay, Labrador: World Whaling Capital A.D. 1550-1600. Atlantic
Archaeology Limited, St. John's.
Or visit one of the Provinces many local museums and
historic sites.
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What do I do if I think I need an
archaeologist?
The
Provincial Archaeology
Office aids the
Minister in
protecting, preserving, developing, studying, interpreting and promoting
the appreciation of the historic resources of the Province of Newfoundland
and Labrador. Historic resources can be the works of nature, or of humans,
and are of interest within the broad field of science.
Since any proposed project involving land-use
has the potential to
impact upon historic resources, the PAO is responsible for a wide variety
of activities, including the processing of land-use applications referred
from various government agencies, and the private sector.
Any project you may be planning which requires ground disturbance that may
impact historic resources should
involve the Provincial Archaeology Office at the planning stage in order
to ensure that mitigative measures to protect the resources are
developed early.
The Provincial Archaeology Office welcomes
any questions you may have. It
is a resource agency for the Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation, as well as for the public and other government agencies.
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What is an Historic Resources Impact Assessment?
An Historic Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) is an
evaluation of the effect of a proposed operation or activity on historic
resources. HRIA's must be done prior to construction or excavating
projects where there is the potential for damage to archaeological
remains, above or below the ground. An HRIA is carried out by
a professional archaeologist. For more information on HRIA, see
the
Historic
Resources Assessment and Impact Management Summary webpages, and contact
the PAO.
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Why should I stop digging just because I have
found some old rocks or bones?
The archaeological resources you come across could be very significant to your
province, your community and you. The benefits of preserving an
archaeological site will often far outweigh the inconveniences.
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Archaeological resources could be
scientifically significant: Archaeological resources
may be scientifically significant in two respects:
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A site may yield
information which, if properly investigated, will substantially further our
understanding of Newfoundland and Labrador heritage. It may help resolve current
archaeological research gaps.
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Archaeological resources
also have the potential for making substantive contributions to other
disciplines, or for providing information which may be used by industry
for practical purposes. For example, archaeological investigations at
sites like Ferryland, and
Cupids can help track
the development and growth of the Newfoundland Fishery, which can help
inform fishery decisions today.
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Archaeological resources may also be
publicly significant: Sites can
enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the past. Sites can
have interpretive, educational, and recreational potential. Consider how
influential sites such as
L'Anse aux Meadows or the Maritime Archaic
cemetery at
Port au Choix have been as educational and tourism
destinations.
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Archaeological resources may be culturally significant: Some sites have
religious, mythological, social, or other special symbolic value to a
culturally distinct community or group of people. Archaeological,
historical, and architectural sites may have some degree of cultural significance to those groups who occupy or have occupied the site, the
descendants of such groups, or people who presently own or live near the
site.
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Sites can be historically significant:
Sites can be
associated with individuals or events that made an important, lasting
contribution to the historic development of a particular locality or
larger area, such as
John Guy's plantation at Cuper's Cove (Cupids) or
Lord Baltimore's Colony of Avalon (Ferryland). Historically important
sites may also reflect or commemorate the historic socioeconomic character
of an area, such as the Basque whaling station at
Red Bay, Labrador. This
type of significance applies to both architectural and historic sites,
including those of an archaeological nature. Normally, these sites will
also have high public significance.
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Some sites may be
economically significant: Archaeological sites can have
potential as tourist attractions. Well preserved and interpreted sites can
provide monetary benefits derived from public visitation. Examples of sites like
these dot the province from Red Bay and L'Anse aux Meadows to Port au
Choix and Ferryland. Many communities have discovered that protecting and
interpreting archaeological sites within their borders can help draw
tourists into their area.
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What are my legal responsibilities if my work
affects or damages an archaeological site?
Any projects you are planning which require ground disturbance should
involve the Provincial Archaeology Office at the planning stage in order
to ensure that mitigative measures to protect historic resources are
developed early.
If you find any archaeological remains in the course of your work, such as
stone, bone or iron tools, concentrations of bone, charcoal or burned
fireplaces, house pits and/or foundations, activity in the area of the
find should cease immediately. Contact the Provincial Archaeology Office as
soon as possible.
Don't move or damage the remains. The Provincial Archaeology Office will
advise you on what steps will need to be taken before your activity
resumes.
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What if I do not
stop?
Willfully damaging an archaeological resource is a serious offence, as is
excavating archaeological
remains without a permit, or selling artifacts.
Stop work orders may be issued by the Minister if ongoing work
has the potential to damage historic resources. Penalties are outlined in
the Historic Resources Act. Each day, or part of a day, that such activity
contravenes the Historic Resources Act constitutes a separate offence. If
convicted, you will owe a debt to the province in the amount spent on the
restoration of the historic resource or historic site damaged.
Legal details may be found in the
Historic Resources Act.
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These artifacts were found in my town, why
doesn't the town own them?
All artifacts found in Newfoundland and Labrador are the property of the
Province (see the
Historic Resources Act).
The Provincial Museum of
Newfoundland and Labrador is the central repository for all archaeological
objects collected within the
Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador.
The Museum has the staff and resources available for the long term
curation of artifacts within the Province.
The Museum makes archaeological materials from all over the province
available to researchers, students and the general public who wish to study them. The Museum
also lends artifacts to communities which have local facilities that
meet acceptable conservation and security standards.
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How do we borrow artifacts to display in our
community museum?
The Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador encourages the development of local museums and
will loan artifacts for display in those museums.
Before artifacts are borrowed, a number of conservation and security
standards must be met, in order to ensure that no damage will come to the
artifacts on display. Contact the
Curator of Archaeology and Ethnology at
the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador with any questions you may have about preparing
your museum for the display of artifacts.
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