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Archaeology and Ethnology Pages |
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What is archaeology?Archaeology is the study of past human cultures.In Newfoundland and Labrador, prehistoric archaeologists study the Province's ancient aboriginal peoples - Maritime Archaic Indians, Intermediate Indians, pre-Dorset Palaeoeskimos, Groswater Palaeoeskimos, Dorset Palaeoeskimos, Thule Eskimos, and Recent Indians including the Beothuk and their ancestors.
Historic archaeologists study the Province's early European immigrants, such as the planters at Ferryland or Cupids.
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 - the forgotten and discarded remains left behind by people.
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 prehistoric or historic past. But, they don't study artifacts because they look pretty - most of what they find was garbage when it was dropped or thrown away centuries ago. Archaeologists study artifacts in order to understand and learn about the people who left the artifacts behind.
Archaeologists distinguish between artifacts and site features. Artifacts are things that are portable, like stone tools, bones, pots, or bottles. Features are traces of humans that can't be moved, like fireplaces and firepits, house foundations, or wells.
To an archaeologist, artifacts can tell a great deal about how people lived in the past, but most of this information comes from the context the artifact is found in. 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's why it is so important not to move artifacts when you find them.
What should you do if you find an artifact?It is illegal to dig up an archaeological artifact in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, if you happen to come across an artifact 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 (709-729-4142). They can advise you what to do.If you find an artifact, you may not move, destroy, damage, deface, obliterate, alter, add to, mark, or interfere with it. You may certainly not sell or trade it, or remove it from the Province. And, when you die, it is the law that any artifacts you may, in fact, 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 you can do is report your artifacts, and donate them to the Newfoundland Museum so that they can be available to the public as well as to students and scholars researching the Province's past.
The Newfoundland Museum is the provincial repository for archaeological artifacts. It is set up for long term artifact curation, and has trained archaeologists and conservators to ensure that the condition of the artifacts does not deteriorate.
Who owns the artifacts?The Province owns all archaeological artifacts found within its boundaries. 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, or traded. When a person dies in the possession of an archaeological object, the person responsible for the administration of the estate of the deceased person must deliver this archaeological object to the Museum.
Who does archaeology in the Province?Many people do archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador, including students and professors from Memorial University, archaeologists working with the Provincial Government, and private consultants.There are three important bodies involved in various aspects of managing archaeological resources in the Province, and educating people about archaeology: The Provincial Archaeology Office, the Archaeology and Ethnology Unit of the Newfoundland Museum, and the Archaeology Unit at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Each have different objectives, personnel and resources.
The Provincial Archaeology Office (PAO): The PAO manages all of the archaeological work done 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.
The Archaeology and Ethnology Unit of the Newfoundland Museum: The museum is the repository of all archaeological remains recovered from within the Province. It also provides public education on the prehistory and history of the Province.
The Archaeology Unit at Memorial University: 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.
Where can I find information on the prehistory or history of Newfoundland and Labrador?Visit the Newfoundland Museum. Attend its public archaeology lectures. Every winter the Archaeology and Ethnology Unit invites archaeologists to talk about their previous season's fieldwork.Check out these pages on the World Wide Web:
Newfoundland Museum, Archaeology and Ethnology LinksLook for these titles in your bookstore:
Newfoundland Museum: Museum Notes
Archaeological Attractions, Past and Present
Archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Report Series
Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage WebpageMarshall, IngeborgOr visit one of the Provinces many local museums and historic sites.
1996. A History and Ethnography of the Beothuk. McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal.Pastore, Ralph
1992. Shanawdithit's People: The Archaeology of the Beothuks. Atlantic Archaeology Limited, St. John's.Pope, Peter E.
1997. The Many Landfalls of John Cabot. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.Tuck, James A.
1989. Red Bay, Labrador: World Whaling Capital A.D. 1550-1600. Atlantic Archaeology Limited, St. John's.Tuck, James A.
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.Tuck, James A.
1976. Newfoundland and Labrador Prehistory. National Museum of Man, Ottawa.
