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Posted by Rich ( CT) FORT LAWRENCE — Parks Canada archeologist Virginia Sheehan carefully scrapes the earth with a trowel, watching for the smallest artifact that could shed light on the history of the former Acadian village of Beaubassin. "I’ve found a few smoking pipes," she said Wednesday, as her fingers carefully search through the clay she has dumped onto a dustpan. Finding nothing, she puts the dirt into a pail and repeats the process. "The dig is still in its early stage, so it’s too early to tell what’s really here. That’s part of the excitement. You never know what you might turn up," she adds as she returns to scraping the soil. She is part of a team of archeologists led by Charles Burke who are excavating Beaubassin, near present-day Fort Lawrence. And they’re hoping members of the public will want to experience the excitement of digging into an important part of Canada’s history. Parks Canada spokeswoman Geraldine Arsenault said the invitation is intended to provide a "unique opportunity" for people "to participate in an authentic archeological dig." "Usually the closest the public gets is standing on the sidelines to watch the archeologists do their work, but in this case we want them to get their hands dirty, to not only be part of the dig, but part of the important research that is taking place here." It costs $37.10 per day to be part of the dig, but the aspiring archeologists will also have the chance to meet first at nearby Fort Beausejour to hear about rich history of the area and take a basic archeology course, Ms. Arsenault said. After the history and archeology lesson, which will take about an hour, the participants will make their way to the dig site, in a large field behind the tourist information centre. There they will get practical instruction on how to use archeologists’ tools, like a trowel and brush, before they get to work on the dig. Mr. Burke, a senior archeologist with Parks Canada from Halifax, is excited to have the public participation. "I think letting people participate is a fascinating way of getting people to learn about the important history of this area," he said. "It was here that the first battles of the Seven Years’ War that decided whether the British or the French would control North America began. It was here that the expulsion of the Acadians began. "There is so much of that history that can be explained by uncovering the archeology that exists here, and that’s what we’re hoping we can do, with the public’s help." So far 30 people have signed up for the 120 spots that are available July 19 to 22, July 26 to 29 and Aug 2 to 5. Those who don’t want to be amateur archeologists are also invited to view the dig on the above dates, when a guide will be able to take them on a tour of the excavation. Anyone wanting more information is asked to contact Parks Canada at fort.beausejour@pc.gc.ca or by calling 506-364-5080. ( tmccoag@herald.ca)
Link: http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/848077.html
on July 19, 2007, 7:25 pm, in reply to "Contacts???"
69.120.7.148
You too can dig up some dirt
Parks Canada inviting public to archeological dig
By TOM McCOAG Amherst Bureau | 6:13 AM
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PS,
I don't think they want detectors,
HH, DIGGING
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