OAS 1995 Field Manual for Avocational Archaeologists
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The Ontario Archaeological Society Inc. ARCHAEOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECT FOR AVOCATIONALARCHAEOLOGISTS IN ONTARIO by Nick Adams Historical Notes by Icm Kenyon cmd Dena Doroszenko March, 1995 - Second Edition This publication was made possible by a grcmt from tHE ONTARIO HERITAGE FOUNDATION Field Manual For avocational archaeologists in Ontario First Edition - March, 1994 Second Edition - March, 1995 © The Ontario Archaeological Society Inc. 126 Willowdale Avenue North York, Ontario M2N4Y2 All rights resexved ISBN 0-9694868-1-2 Copies are available for a fee of $10.00 Cheques should be made payable to: The Ontario Archaeological Society The Ontario Archaeological Society expresses its appreciation for funding of this manual by The Ontario Heritage Foundation The Ontario ArchaeologicalSociety Inc. Preface to the First Edition The idea and need for this volume was first suggested by Mr. Ian Kenyon of The Ontario Heritage Foundation in response to requests from avocational archaeologists (especially Mr. Art Howey) that a new programme be initiated to follow on from the ACO programme that had been operated so successfully by the then Ministry of Culture and Communications. Following discussions between Ian Kenyon, Art Howey, Mike Kirby and myself during the winter and spring of 1992, we all agreed that in order for any new programme to begin a good quality field manual was necessary for use by avocational archaeologists. We believed that a field manual would set a high and consistent standard of reporting, recording and registering of sites by avocationals throughout the province. We also believed it would be of interest and use to professional archaeologists as well as to students of archaeology. The next step was to determine which organization was best suited to sponsor and supervise the writing and production of the manual: the Ontario Archaeological Society seemed the obvious choice to the four of us. It was at that point that a commitment to creating and producing a field manual was made. A committee, which I chaired, was established to oversee its development. Now, two years later, we have the final product. It is, I believe, not only a good field manual about the "how to" and "how not to" for avocationals to conduct their fieldwork but it provides also a splendid, albeit brief, introduction to artifact identification and a general outline of the prehistory and history of Ontario. Indeed, I believe that this field manual is of a standard high enough that I encourage not only avocational archaeologists to use it but also any other interested and aspiring parties to consult it. First year archaeology students may find it an indispensable means of familiarizing themselves with archaeology in Ontario and the history of the province. Let us hope that now the field manual is available, the next step will be the initiation of an Archaeological Stewardship Project for avocational archaeologists in Ontario. Bruce Welsh Field Manual Committee Chairman March,1994. Archaeological Stewardship Project Field Manual Committee Mr. Chris Andersen Ms Bernice Field Ms Luisa Beram Mr. Art Howey Professor Gary Crawford Mr. lan Kenyon Ms Dena Doroszenko Mr. Michael Kirby Dr. Bruce Welsh (Chairman) Archaeological Stewardship Project Field Manual The Ontario Archaeological Society Inc. ii Acknowledgements In order for any volume to be written and produced the work and assistance of many people and organizations is required. First and foremost I must express my gratitude to The Ontario Heritage Foundation. It was members of the OHF who fITst encouraged the OAS to apply for a grant for this project. Our application was successful and the OHF graciously provided us with a grant of $10,200 to cover the costs of writing and producing this volume. I thank Mrs. Dorothy Duncan and the Board of Directors of The Ontario Heritage Foundation for providing this sum and for having the faith in us to complete the volume. Without this financial assistance the OAS could not have embarked on this task. Secondly, I must thank Nick Adams for agreeing to write the manual. Given his familiarity with archaeology in both northern and southern Ontario, Nick was unquestionably well suited and well qualified to write this field manual. I have also discovered that he is surely one of the most affable persons around. Despite having to put up with the many requests, demands, complaints and criticisms from the committee, and especially from me, Nick remained gracious and uncomplaining. Most importantly, he provided us with this finely written manual with plenty of humour. Many thanks, Nick. And don't ever lose your good humour, it's infectious! Thirdly, I must thank all members of the committee for their assistance in the production of this manual. The different committee members were especially expert in specific aspects of the manual and each of them gave much time, thought and energy to ensure its completion, from the initial concept and outline through to the final draft. I especially thank Ian Kenyon and Dena Doroszenko for writing the section on historic artifacts and for providing many of the illustrations, and to Mike Kirby for editing, compiling and organizing the volume once we had the final draft. I also thank Ms Lesley Lewis. then the Executive Director of the OHF and Mr. Morris Zbar, then the Director of Field Services at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation for permitting most of these individuals to sit on an OAS committee. Believe me, without their assistance, this manual could not have been completed. Thanks, folks. Fourthly, on behalf of the OAS, I give special thanks to Mr. Art Howey. Ever since the Avocational Workshop in January, 1991, Art is the person primarily responsible for persuading all concerned that a successor to ACOP was necessary and that the OAS was the best suited organization to sponsor it. It is because of the high regard that so many of us have for Art that we agreed to become involved in the production of the manual in the first place. In thanking you, Art, the thanks come from a lot of people. It is my hope that now that the first step has been taken - a completed field manual - we shall soon see your dream develop into the beginning of the archaeological stewardship programme. Fifthly, I must thank Monicke Thibeault for providing the line drawing for the title page at very short notice and at the last moment. It is a first rate drawing and I think I know the person on which the figure is based! I should also like to thank Nick. lan and Dena for their illustrations and to note and acknowledge that all of the remaining illustrations have been taken from previous OAS pUblications, especially KEWA and Ellis & Ferris (eds.) The Archaeology of Southern Ontario to A.D. 1650. Finally, I must thank the OAS Board of Directors for their patience and constant support in this endeavour. Their belief that the committee would complete the task never wavered and I thank them for the faith they had in me to oversee its completion. On behalf of the committee and author, I present this volume to you. B.W. Archaeological Stewardship Project Field Manual The Ontario Archaeological Society Inc. iii CONTENTS Preface to the First Edition 1 Acknowledgements 11 IN"TRODUCTION . .. 1 The Search for Meaning . .. 1 Problems in the Present .................................................. 1 Avocational Archaeologists in Ontario ....................................... 2 The Background to this Manual . .. 2 YOUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL LICENCE ........................................ 4 Your Application ..... .. 5 A Word About Process... ................................................. 5 Other Legislation ........................................................ 5 The Cemeteries Act. .. 6 The Planning Act . .. 6 The Public Lands Act . .. 6 The Environmental Assessment Act .................................. 6 The Trespass to Property Act ....................................... 7 PUBLIC RELATIONS ........................................................ 8 REPATRIATION AND NATIVE PEOPLES. .. 11 ".f;, BASIC TRAINING AND NECESSARY SKILLS .................................. 13 Maps 13 Topographical Maps ............................................ 13 Ontario Base Maps .............................................. 14 Other Maps ......................................................... 15 Aerial Photographs. .. 15 Aerial Photograph Interpretation. .. 15 Photography. .. 17 Photographic Log. .. 18 Site Photographs. .. 18 Artifact Photographs ................................................... 20 Survey Methods and Techniques .......................................... 22 Developing a Strategy . .. 22 Negative and Positive Results ...................................... 22 Field Techniques ................................................ 22 SOUTIiERN ONTARIO . .. 23 Field Survey .................................................... 23 Archaeological Stewardship Project Field Manual The Ontario Archaeological Society Inc. iv Recording the Results of a Field Survey. .. 24 Controlled Surface Survey .......................................... 25 Woodlots and Pastures . .. 28 Cities and Suburbs ............................................... 28 NORTHERN ONTARIO .................................. 29 Site SUrY'ey .•.....................................•............. 29 Site Mapping. .. 30 Artifact Cataloguing . .. 34 Basic Sorting . .. 34 Conservation ................................................... 36 Cleaning. .. 37 Starting to Catalogue ..................................................