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Archaeology and Ethnology Pages |
Page Contents
- What do I do if I think I need an archaeologist?
- What is an Historic Resources Impact Assessment?
- Why should I stop digging just because I've found some old rocks or bones?
- What are my legal responsibilities if my work affects or damages an archaeological site?
- What if I don't stop?
- These artifacts were found in my town, why doesn't the town own them?
- How do we borrow artifacts to display in our community museum?
What do I do if I think I need an archaeologist?The Provincial Archaeology Office (PAO) of the Culture and Heritage Division 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 are the works of nature, or of humans, and are of interest within the broad field of science.Since any proposed projects involving land-use have 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 projects you may be 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.
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.
Questions may be directed to Martha Drake, Provincial Resource Archaeologist, at (709) 729-2462; Ken Reynolds, Resource Management Assistant, at (709) 729-4303; or Delphina Mercer, Resource Management Assistant, at (709) 729-4142.
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 archaeological consultants. For more information, see the Historic Resources Assessment and Impact Management Summary webpages, and contact the PAO.
Why should I stop digging just because I've found some old rocks or bones?The historic 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.Historic resources could be scientifically significant: Historic resources may be scientifically significant in two respects. A site may yield information which, if properly recovered, will substantially further our understanding of Newfoundland and Labrador heritage. It may be capable of helping to resolve current heritage research problems. Historic 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, Cupids, and the St. John's Waterfront can help track the development and growth of the Newfoundland Fishery, which can help inform fishery decisions today.
Historic resources may also be publicly significant: Some 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.
Historic resources may be ethnically significant: Some sites have religious, mythological, social, or other special symbolic value to an ethnically distinct community or group of people. Archaeological, historical, and architectural sites may have some degree of ethnic 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.
Sites can be historically significant: Occasionally 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 a high public significance.
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 the public's use of the historic site as an educational or recreational facility. 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.
What are my legal responsibilities if my work will affect 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 must 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.
What if I don't stop?Willfully damaging an historic resource is a serious offence, as is failing to report archaeological discoveries, excavating archaeological remains without a permit, or selling artifacts.Stop work orders may be issued by the minister if proposed or 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.
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 Newfoundland Museum is the central repository for all of the archaeological artifacts 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. All artifacts are assembled at this one central place because it is the simplest, most efficient, and most cost effective way to record and manage the collections.
The Museum makes archaeological materials from all over the Province available to researchers and students who wish to study them. The Museum may also lend artifacts back to communities which have local museums that meet acceptable conservation and security standards.
How do we borrow artifacts to display in our community museum?The Newfoundland Museum 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 Newfoundland Museum with any questions you may have about preparing your museum for the display of artifacts.
Once you have the facilities to house the artifacts, contact the Curator of Archaeology and Ethnology, in writing, with a list of the artifacts you wish to borrow. It will take some time to gather the artifacts and to determine if there are any special conservation concerns. For example, stone tools are pretty durable, but a bone pendant or birchbark basket may need special handling and conservation efforts. So, submit your requests at least a month in advance of when you would like to recieve the artifacts.