Ontario Archaeological Society Arch Notes New Series Volume 12, Issue 2 ISSN 0048-1742 MarchiApril2007 ----- Not your typical archaeological find: Jean-Luc Pilon describes his experiences digging at an important Canadian World War 1 battle site. starting on p. 15. Photo by Jeen-LuG Pilon OASNews Articles '1 3 President's message 6 Introducing the Huronia Chapter, by Marilyn Cornies 4 From the GAS office... 11 My recollections of Paul W. Sweetman, Archaeologist, by Charles Garrad I 10 Symposium call for papers 15 Digging into Vimy Ridge: Challenging our History, by Jean-Luc Pilon 22 GAS chapter listings Visit us on the Web at www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca Ontario Archaeological Society Board of Directors Appointments & Committees President Editor, Ontario Archaeology Jean-Luc Pilon rt [email protected]. Inet.ca • Hamson. Susan Jamieson. Eva McDonald, Alicia Henry van Lieshout (416) 446-7673 henry_vanliesh Director of Services Car (416 edit Vacant Director of John L. Crees jlcreese@trinity. Director of Public C) eorge (TMHC), Alicia Hawkins of Pikwakanagim), (705) 675-1151 ext. 4224 useum of Civilization) [email protected] Executive Director Lise Ferguson 1444 Queen Street East, Suite 102 Professional Committee Toronto, ON M4L lEI Chair: Alicia Hawkins Phone/fax: (416) 406-5959 Cathy Crinnion, Holly Martelle, Jean-Luc Pilon, [email protected] Paul Racher, Andrew Murray Board meetiug dates in 2007 Symposium 2007 Kingston January 6 Chair: Alan MacLachlan April 14 Volunteer Recognition Task Force July 14 September 29 Chair: Jean-Luc Pilon; Members: Carole Stimmell, Cathy Crinnion J President's message By Jean.Luc Pilon see for yourself), the bottom line is P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Quebec, President that licensing authorities can no Alberta, the Plains, Yukon, British I was recently at a meeting of the longer accept the destruction of Columbia. What do you feel like at • Kingston OAS Symposium plan­ sites by archaeologists without this moment? Neglected and ning committee and as a result I efforts to actually use the informa­ rejected? Here is insult to injury­ can assure you that this fall's event tion beyond the minimal require­ Chandler added two more stories will be very worthwhile attending, ments of license reports. I couldn't at the end of the "Top 10": one on not only because ofthe themes that help but think of the situation here possible Dorset-Norse contacts in have been proposed (see the call in Canada and in Ontario in par­ the Eastern Arctic and a short sec­ for papers in this issue), but also ticular. Literally hundreds of sites tion on "Walking with Dinosaurs"!! because of the historically steeped every year are discovered, regis­ Ontario did not place in the "Top setting in which it will take place tered, sampled and excavated, yet 10" and did not even merit an hon­ and the activities that are being beyond compliance reports, their orable mention. Does this means planned. The heritage community destruction serves no obvious pur­ that Ontario's archaeological past in Kingston has a long history (did pose. At the same time, consultants pales in comparison to these and you know that next year the can legitimately point out that they other sites? Not by a long shot in Cataraqui Archaeological Research do not have the time or the my opinion! We could sit down Foundation will be 25 years old? resources to undertake analysis and discuss how the list was Congratulations!) and is proudly and publication on their own. And arrived at, who was asked to sug­ independent. They have much to the developers, it goes without say­ gest sites, how the questions were be admired for and emulated, so ing, are concerned with getting on asked, what were the criteria for make plans now to come and dip with their work, not necessarily being considered a "top" site, etc., your toes into Ontario's long and expanding our understanding of but this would be circular and complex past at the mouth of the the past. Pivotal in this discussion futile. At the same time, we might Cataraqui River at the beginning of is the Ontario Ministry of Culture also come to the realization that November, 2007. and the requirements that it places the story of Ontario's archaeologi­ What do Archaeology magazine on the archaeological consulting cal past is just not getting out there and The Beaver magazine have in process. There may be legal ques­ to a wider public; in fact, it is even common? Initially, not much, but tions which come into play about difficult for archaeologists to know bear with me. At the end of how much the developers can be what is going on just down the February, I picked up a copy of asked to pay, but as a profession, road. Archaeology in an airport news­ archaeology in some respects has In Ontario, just about all of the stand. In it I read an interesting become a blind executioner, where archaeology being done takes place article by Roger Atwood titled we should be more like the because of the needs of develop­ "Publish or Be Punished: Israel Medecins sans frontieres ofthe past. ment and impact studies. The con­ cracks down on delinquent dig­ The second part of the initial text of this work is such that the gers" (MarchIApril 2007). I was question was about The Beaver point of the exercise has become to astonished to read how the Israel magazine. Actually, Holly Martelle clear the archaeological concern Antiquities Authority has taken a brought my attention to the June­ on a property and then get on with tough stand with projects and July 2006 issue that featured the development. Government researchers, no matter how well "Canada's Top 10 Archaeological does not impose any necessity to funded they are, who fail to share Sites". Wow, what a choice Ann publish and so contracts cannot their discoveries with a wider audi­ Chandler had to make. Look include funds for analysis and pub­ ence. While there are many intrica­ through the list. There are sites lication. A consultant earning a liv­ cies to the tale (pick up a copy and from Newfoundland, Labrador, ing then goes on to the next project March / April 2007 Arch Notes 12(2) 4 and the backlog simply continues plummeted and we no longer something to learn from the past to grow. There are, of course, spoke of global warming, but of that can help us prepare for the exceptions to this broad statement, record cold temperatures for future? Plus ~a change, plus c'est but as a general trend it is unfortu­ February. So go figure. pareil! nately too true. What is the solu­ What I find interesting in these tion? Something drastic like the discussions of global warming and Enfin, je me dois de terminer Israel Antiquities Authority the greenhouse effect is the lack of cette note avec quelques mots en imposed? That couldn't last long time depth. Serious commentators fran~ais pour les lecteurs fran­ because then developments across will speak oftrends developed over cophones. II y a une tradition the province would grind to a halt. the past century. Some even go parmi les gens de chez nous de The first step, however, might be back to the Middle Ages. This is all s'accommoder, de ne pas brasser la for the Ministry to at least recog­ in the recent past and there really soupe inutilement. En toute nize that it is an issue and bring has not been enough time to devel­ douceur, il y a peut"etre une occa­ concerned players to a table to take op significant trends. Much data sion pour prendre un peu de place stock of the situation and discuss exist on global temperature fluctu­ sur la scene de I'archeologie en options and strategies. ations spanning centuries and mil­ Ontario. Si vous en avez I'envie, On a more positive note, in my lennia since the end of the last ice faites-nous des suggestions pour first President's Message to you, I age, yet we hardly ever hear scien­ augmenter I'utilisation du fran~ais foretold of canoe races on the tists share with us insights from lit ou un besoin reel existe au sein Rideau Canal for the National these studies. How did people cope de la societe ontarienne Capital's Winterlude instead of the in the past with climate change? d'archeologie. Soyez rassures que usual skating. Two weeks after Do archaeologists have something toutes vos idees sont les plus bien­ writing those words, temperatures to add to the debate? Is there really venues! From the OAS office... Lise Ferguson, Chapter to celebrate the release of sit), GPS, an others. Executive Director White Raven with the author as she May (weekends) -Ancient Spring has sprung! OAS Chapters takes us into the fictional world of Pathways Project: Pedestrian are getting busy again after most archaeology, ancient myths, and a Surveys within the Dundas Valley had a break during part ofour cold bitter feud between environmen­ Project. Spokesperson, Dr. Bob Ontario winter, and there are lots talists and loggers! Autographed Henderson (McMaster U.). of other goings-on, some of which books are for sale ($25) to raise Summer -TBA Archaeological I will highlight here. funds for the Hamilton Chapter. Survey - Reconnaissance of the Free admission; RSVPs recom­ Reimer/Boyd Sites Project Chapters' Corner mended. Advance orders guarantee Director - James B. Bandow. Open (see the websites for the most up­ a signing. Light refreshments will to OAS members only! to-date information; you can link be served. to the Chapters through the OAS London website at Public Events· 2007 April 12 - The speaker for the ontarioarchaeology.on.ca) May - Map, Compass, & Survey meeting will be Dr.