The NLAS is pleased to announce we have ball hats for sale – & just in time for the Newfoundland & Labrador field season too!

The NLAS is pleased to announce we will now be offer discounted membership rates for the remainder of 2019!

• Individual members are now just $15 (save $10),
• Student/Senior rate is $10 (save $10),
• Family rate is $25 (save $10),
• Institutional rate is $35 (save $15),
• Lifetime membership is on for $200 (save $150).

To download the temporary membership deal form, click here (Word) or here (PDF) OR visit the “Membership” page of our website (https://nlarchsociety.ca/memberships/).

Our AGM will be held on Wednesday, November 14 at The Landing at the UC on the MUN campus (7:00-9:00pm). Our guest speakers will be Dr. Véronique Forbes and Dr. Vaughan Grimes both of the Department of Archaeology at Memorial University.
This event is free and open to the public.

The upcoming NLAS workshop “From 2D photos to 3D models” is scheduled for 1-4 pm on Saturday, May 26th. This workshop will provide an introduction to the construction of 3D digital models from photos, of artifacts, archaeological features, and landscapes. It will showcase some of the diverse ways 3D photogrammetry techniques are being used, as well as show you how to implement them to suit your projects. This workshop will include:
– Highlights of the use of 3D photogrammetry in archaeology
– A basic tutorial, using an open-source software package and photo set (both to be provided)
– Tips and tricks for 3D model success, both in the field and in the lab

The use of a personal laptop computer (one on which software can be installed) is required for this workshop, and attendees are strongly encouraged to bring a digital camera (a smartphone will work) and bring the means to transfer photos from the camera to the laptop if they wish to try their hand at creating their own photo set and assembling a 3D model (a photo set will, in any case, be provided).

Date and time: Saturday, May 26th, 1-4 pm
Location: Q-2013, Queens College, MUN
Cost: $10 for NLAS members, $20 for non-members
To register, or for more info, e-mail nlas@nlarchsociety.ca

Stay tuned in the coming months for details regarding a 2-day artifact photogrammetry workshop in October, led by Dr. George Bevan from Queen’s University and organized by the Shipwreck Preservation Society.
Once again, thank you for your continued support as a member, and we hope to see you at the workshop!

Over the last 10 years, a research group from Memorial University and McMaster University have been working toward gaining further insight into the genetics and lifeways of Beothuk and Maritime Archaic populations in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a direct result of the continued support and interest from the Beothuk Institute, Innu Nation, NunatuKavut, Nunatsiavut, Miawpukek First Nation, Qalipu First Nation, The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canadian Museum of History, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, they are delighted to report and discuss with you the results of this research prior to publication in Current Biology on 12 October 2017.

A great day and an energetic hike out along the beautiful trail to Bordeaux Head last Saturday, September 2nd. Though we found numerous beach-strewn waterworn lithics from the former Dorset site, there was no evidence of any in-situ deposits. Our re-visit and testing of this “late” Middle Dorset site was the first to undertake any excavation since Urve Linnamae discovered the site in 1970. Like an increasing number of exposed coastal sites, it appears that erosion has taken what was left of this important site out to sea. Watch for a full report of our activities in the forthcoming Archaeology in Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Report Series that is put out by the Provincial Archaeology Office. http://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/pao/arch_in_nl/index.html

We also created a YouTube video of our trip which can be seen here.

Water rolled lithic artifact

Testing the site

Planned Itinerary

• Depart from Queen’s College 9 am; Carpooling encouraged. If you do not have a ride, let us know and we’ll try to match you up with one.
• Meet at Robin’s Donuts in Arnold’s Cove at 10:30
• 4km hike to Bordeaux to site @ 10:45
• Arrive at Site 11:45, followed by 30min rest/lunch break
• Two-hour archaeology program
• 4km hike back to vehicles / drive back to St. John’s

Participant Opportunities

• Take part in the relocation of an archaeological site using mapping and GPS unit
• Observe archaeological testing
• Learn about correct archaeological field recording procedures
• Learn by observation, how to undertake radiocarbon sample (if present)
• Learn about site protection and provincial heritage legislation via discussion during a lunchtime discussion

Recommendations / Requirements

• You should be prepared to hike a total of two hours over varying terrain (hills, root covered trail, loose beach rocks) which will necessitate appropriate footwear, hiking boots are recommended. A hat, backpack, bug repellent, sunscreen are also a good idea.
• We will break for 30 minutes or so upon arrival at the site. You are responsible for bringing your own food and water/beverages.

Note: This is a day-long excursion, and there are no toilet facilities along the trail or at the site. Be prepared to find a comfortable spot in the woods if the urge should arise.

UPDATE
We were happy to learn early last month that this facility will now remain open. This is great news for archaeology in this area. We hope that our letter (see below) played some small role in this reversal.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Archaeological Society is saddened to learn of Parks Canada’s continuing plans to close their Archaeology Lab in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This purpose-built facility was opened in 2009, specifically designed to preserve, house, and protect the archaeological artifacts from Atlantic Canada’s archaeological sites under federal jurisdiction.

According to a report from the Nova Scotia Archaeological Society (NSAS), Parks Canada’s continued plans are to shutter this world-class laboratory and ship the archaeological artifacts stored there to Gatineau, Quebec, for long-term storage.

The complete NLAS statement on this issue can be read here.

The current President of the NLAS was on CBC Central Radio morning show recently discussing this issue.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Archaeological Society (NLAS) Community Collections Archaeological Research Project (CCARP) for 2016 was based on a collection of historic and pre-contact artifacts collected from the North Coast of Labrador. It includes 11 stone tools, 7 kaolin pipes (provenience unknown, but likely from Labrador), and utensils and lead line weights collected at Okak. These items all came to the NLAS by way of the Labrador Institute, where they remained after being donated by Carol Brice-Bennett.

The collection of archaeological objects within the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is restricted to licensed archaeological investigation under the Historic Resources Act. Archaeological objects have in the past been, and continue to be, collected by local citizens, who may or may not be aware of the legislation protecting the Province’s archaeological heritage.

The report is now online and can be found here.

The collection is now on display at the Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus of the College of the North Atlantic. See the photos of the display below.