Archaeologist says Nova Scotians Have a Role to Play

October is Archaeology Month in some US states, but for Nova Scotians the time to be aware of archaeology is all year round, said David Christianson, provincial archaeologist with the Nova Scotia Museum.

"We all have a role to play in the preservation of archaeological sites," said Mr. Christianson. "It's important for everyone to understand where we have come from and to know who our predecessors were. Archaeological research helps Nova Scotians increase their knowledge about the development of this area and its people over thousands of years."

Archaeological sites are a special kind of heritage resource because they are the physical remains of the past: the objects made and used; houses built, lived in, and destroyed; and landscapes changed over many millennia.

Mr. Christianson said because of archaeological techniques, data from investigations provide unusual and valuable historical records that don't rely on the notions of particular times, people, or classes in society. Through archaeology, these sites can tell the stories of the everyday lives of real people who lived in Nova Scotia. It is a wide-ranging and diverse record, spanning at least 10,600 years.

Sites exist in every corner of Nova Scotia and Mr. Christianson is quick to point out that archaeological sites are non-renewable resources.

"Once a site is disturbed, our chance to know a part of our history is lost forever," he said. "That is why we rely so heavily on Nova Scotians to be aware of the vulnerability of archaeological sites and to respect them."

He said great value is placed on archaeology in the province by the government and people of Nova Scotia. The province recognizes the importance of archaeological sites through legislation, the most significant of which is the 1980 Special Places Protection Act. The portion of the Act dealing with archaeology offers protection to sites and encourages an increased understanding of Nova Scotia's past through research.

Mr. Christianson said that many Nova Scotians have a direct connection to the people who once occupied these places. He is encouraged that more than ever, property owners, land planners and developers are adhering to the laws by ensuring archaeological permits are obtained before land-disturbing activities begin.

In addition to these segments of the population, Mr. Christianson relies on citizens, historical societies, and other organizations to advise him when they find objects in the ground or spot possible archaeological sites. The challenge, he said, is in locating archaeological sites without damaging them - sites can be anywhere in the province, wherever human activity has taken place.

Membership in the Nova Scotia Archaeology Society is one way that Nova Scotians can participate in discovering our archaeological past. The society has a website at http://nsas.ednet.ns.ca .

"It's our attitude and our actions in the present that will allow archaeological sites to be preserved properly, using archaeological techniques that provide the greatest possible amount of information from a site," said Mr. Christianson.

Archaeology is the focus of two events in Halifax in October. The history section of the Nova Scotia Museum will present Connections with the New World, a series of public talks by noted archaeologists. The talks will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 4, and Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Museum of Natural History located at 1747 Summer St, Halifax.

Professional archaeologists are also meeting in Halifax for the Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology annual meeting and conference at the Lord Nelson Hotel from Thursday, Oct.5, to Sunday, Oct. 8.