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Posted by Jamie I have received a number of e-mails containing similar concerns since Unfortunately the many sides of this matter are complex and a brief Our archaeology legislation is almost three decades old and, frankly, Officials responsible for historical sites, (including Parks Canada), I am pleased to note that there is a code of ethics for those engaged As Minister I have no intention of enacting legislative measures I also want to make clear that the archaeological legislation under What the legislation does do is to manage heritage resources. It I thank you for your correspondence. Your comments and concerned are Yours truly
on April 25, 2006, 11:53 am
24.231.31.245
Dear Mr. Burris:
the recent discussion of archaeological resources appeared in the media.
As your letters raise a number of related issues I am responding in this
manner so that all concerned will have the same information.
news item is often not able to provide a full context for the complex
issues surrounding what I think you will agree is a contentious area,
not just in our province but around the world. Some of you have noted
that those engaged in metal detecting as a hobby have made major
contributions to our knowledge of the past. This is as true in Prince
Edward Island as in other areas. In fact, much of the present
information we have about our archaeology is as the result of efforts
made over the years by avocational archaeologists who have shared their
information with professionals. In turn the trained archaeologists have
been able to explain the importance of undisturbed sites and the damage
caused by removing artifacts from the locations in which they might have
been found.
is not good legislation because it provides only minimal protection for
a precious and non-renewable resource. Over the past few years there has
been ample evidence that the level of damage to archaeological sites has
been increasing. This includes loss of our pre-history, human remains
from both the pre-contact and post-contact periods and historical
evidence of our Acadian and other European pioneers. In some cases the
context of the resources has been willfully destroyed, in others it is a
by-product of individuals working without training or experience.
museums, the aboriginal community and heritage groups as well as
professional archaeologists have expressed concern. Sites in this
province have been looted and destroyed. There are many people with an
interest in this area and the vast majority of them operate in a
responsible way and contribute and share their knowledge. A minority
appear to be taking advantage of a situation and are using the resources
of the province for personal gain.
in the hobby and if everyone subscribed to this code and acted in
accordance with it our problems would be substantially reduced.
Unfortunately there are individuals who are either unaware of the code
or who feel that it does not refer to them or to their activities.
I certainly regret it if the press reports of my remarks have been
taken to refer to all those engaged in the pursuit. As with many
activities the bad behavior of a few has tainted a wide range of
individuals and this was certainly not my intent. I do view the loss of
our heritage as a serious concern. There has been looting and damage.
However I would agree that it is not appropriate to assume that all
engaged in the hobby act in an improper way and I am sorry if the press
has distorted my comments in this way.
targeted at personas acting responsibly and engaging in a satisfying
hobby. However that leisure pursuit must be balanced against the value
the province as a whole has placed on our historic resources.
Destruction of aboriginal settlement areas or our oldest European
homesteads by people searching for coins or arrowheads does not show
responsible stewardship on the part of the government.
consideration is not aimed at metal detection. The legislation deals
with a whole host of archaeological resource management topics including
treatment of human remains, archaeological impact statements regarding
major developments, archaeological site identification, site management
and other measures. The legislation does not cover materials less than
one hundred years of age and I understand that the vast majority of
items recovered by hobbyists are from this later period. It does not
outlaw the use of metal detectors. It does not require permits or fees
for the use of detectors as some correspondents have been led to
believe.
disallows the buying and selling of archaeological resources and thus
removes the financial incentive for the damaging of archaeological
sites. In this respect it mirrors legislation in a number of other
jurisdictions. The legislation also provides for notification of
archaeological finds and as some of you have noted in your
correspondence this mirrors what many hobbyists are already doing. I
expect that as a result of changes to the legislation we will have
better protection for these important heritage resources.
noted. I am very pleased that many of your letters re-iterate your
interest in our heritage. Government cannot act alone in this area and I
know that it is very desirable that people know the reasons for our
actions.
Elmer MacFadyen
Minister
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