The NLAS is looking for an existing collection of artifacts to catalog and photograph in the Province. We have funding to hire an archaeologist who will document your collection and compile a report. You can download last year’s report from our website to get an idea of the end result. We return all of the artifacts along with a printed copy of the report to the collector.

If you have a collection that you would like to share and have recorded, or if you have any further questions, please contact the NLAS: nlas@nlarchsociety.ca

We don’t want anyone to go out looking for artifacts, but we understand that sometimes people find them. The Community Collections Archaeological Research Project is a great way to share a piece of your community’s past with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and to be recognized for your role in helping to preserve it.

The Community Collections Archaeological Research Project 2014

Please join the Newfoundland and Labrador Archaeological Society and The Rooms for a Coffee and Culture lecture Thursday April 2nd at 2:30 PM by Dr. Barry Gaulton entitled George Calvert, David Kirke, and Jim Tuck: three visionaries and their impact on Ferryland, Newfoundland.

In Dr. Gaulton’s own words:
In 1621 Sir George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, established a permanent English settlement at Ferryland on the Southern Shore of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula. Less than two decades later, Sir David Kirke gained control of the fledgling town and changed/diversified some of the daily operations in an effort to make it economically viable — changes that largely continued under the direction of his wife, Lady Sara Kirke and their sons. A French attack in 1696 destroyed the entire colony but its remains lay undisturbed throughout the centuries. Starting in the mid-1980s, archaeological investigation led by Dr. James A. Tuck has revealed this amazingly well-preserved seventeenth-century settlement.
This presentation looks at the impact that these three important individuals had (and continue to have) on the past and present community of Ferryland as demonstrated through 25 years of archaeology.

Dr. Gaulton is an Associate Professor with the Department of Archaeology at MUN. His research involves ongoing excavations at Ferryland, Newfoundland, which focuses on George Calvert’s colony of Avalon (1621) and the subsequent plantation established by Sir David Kirke in 1638.

The Rooms ENGAGING EVENINGS  are every Wednesday evening at 7pm  and consist of tours, lectures, discussions, artist’s talks, films, readings, workshops… Each week has something new – all wrapped up in an hour or two.

Wednesday evening,  April 1st, the Newfoundland and Labrador Archaeology Society and The Rooms are pleased to present Dr. Oscar Moro Abadia who will be speaking on the topic of One Hundred and Fifty Years of Prehistoric Art: A History of Paleolithic Images.

In Dr. Abadia’s own words:
Paleolithic art was first discovered in France in 1864, i.e. one hundred and fifty years ago. In this talk I review the history of the terms and ideas used to conceptualize Paleolithic art since the end of the nineteenth century. In the first place, I show how, during the period 1900-1970, prehistoric representations were typically divided into two main groups: ‘parietal art’ (including ‘rock’ and ‘cave’ art) and ‘portable’ (or ‘mobiliary’) art. This classification gave rise to asymmetrical attitudes towards Paleolithic images. In particular, while a small number of cave paintings were praised for their realism, portable representations were overlooked. In the second place, I examine how during the last forty years archaeologists have developed new frameworks within which more kinds of images can be meaningfully approached and incorporated into the analysis of Paleolithic art and symbolism. I suggest that the emergence of new approaches to Pleistocene imagery is the result of a number of interrelated processes including the globalization of Paleolithic art studies, the impact of new discoveries, and the development of new approaches to art, images and symbolism.

Dr. Abadia is an Associate Professor with the Department of Archaeology at MUN. He is an expert in Paleolithic art with a keen interest in the history of archaeology and science, and its relationship with First Nations and Inuit peoples.

Gerald Penney’s Obituary for Don Locke, 20 January 2015.

Don Locke, Newfoundland’s premier amateur archaeologist, died at his home town of Grand Falls, on 14 January, 2015 in his 76 year. Known to family and close friends as Sonny, he was an avid woodsman, trapper and landscape/wildlife painter. In work life a linesman with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro he, along with other such dedicated workers, built the provincial electric grid system. However, his real passion was a strong desire to come to a better understanding of the Beothuk and the other pre-and post-contact aboriginal groups on the Island. Readings of J.P. Howley’s The Beothucks (1915) and other early accounts coupled with a keen sense of the natural landscape enabled him to find their campsites and other remains; in many respects following Howley’s footsteps. He created replica Beothuk villages, on the Exploits just outside Grand Falls and at Indian Point on Red Indian Lake. His 1973 inscribed booklet, concerning their sites and artifacts is a prize of my library. His material culture collection was eventually acquired by the Newfoundland Museum. Later in life Don and I undertook a number of exciting surveys of the interior southwest coast and Notre Dame Bay region. Always ready to reveal his deep knowledge of nature and lore he will be sadly missed, especially by Marjorie and three children.

Don Locke, 1985
G. Penney, photo.

We are looking for a new NLAS board member!

At the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) this coming November 12th, our Secretary Sarah Ingram will be stepping down. We are putting out a call for nominations for the position, and the required form is available on the Facebook page. Nominations will be open on October 15th, and must be received by October 22nd to allow voting time (any additional information on nominations, voting, and the duties of the secretary can be found in the constitution).

There will be more information shortly coming out about the AGM and membership renewal soon, so keep an eye on the website, the Facebook page, and on your email if you’re a member.

We have a very interesting talk by Amanda Crompton planned for our AGM, and we really hope to see you out there!

– The NLAS Executive