(Y95 News photo)
On Friday evening, Dr. Matthew Betts, Curator of Atlantic Provinces Archaeology at the Canadian Museum of History gave a presentation on the work his team has done over the past two decades.
Much of it in has been in Port Joli, considered a very important Mi’kmaq site.
Saturday, the team invited local history buffs to bring in any artifacts they have to show them and share any any stories.
Dr. Betts says they do a lot of the public consultations to learn from the people who know the area best.
“They’ve seen these sites all their lives. They’ve wondered about them, they’ve collected from them. It’s impossible for us to get out there like locals do and they’ll be able to tell us where these sites are. It’ll will save us money and save us time and as you know, we’re racing against time to save these sites.”
Climate change and rising sea levels are destroying many important sites. Some that were excavated in the 70’s no longer exist.
He says it’s through meeting the public that they they find many of the sites, which often bring the team “wow” moments.
“When we found the first sweat lodge discovered in Nova Scotia, that was a ‘wow moment. When we found the clay-lined spark holders that had never been seen before, that was a ‘wow’ moment. Really archaeology is all about discovery. Interpreting that for the public is really what is most rewarding for me.”
