NCC rediscovers past of the capital region through archaeology

The National Capital Commission shared recent archaeological research and conservation efforts in the Ottawa-Gatineau area with the public on Dec. 3.

The conference, Archaeology in the Capital Region: Discovering Our Past, shared a story that re-writes the history of the Ottawa region, through the discovery of one of the most significant ancient burial grounds in the region.

It was the NCC’s first conference on archaeology as part of the Lab program that launched last year, says Mario Tremblay, Communications Advisor.  The program seeks to bring leaders and scholars together with the general public to discuss topics relevant to the capital.

The archaeological heritage of the Capital Region dates back nearly 8,000 years and many artifacts still remain to be discovered.  The panel focused on educating the community on the history of the region. Ian Badgley, archaeologist at the NCC’s Heritage Program says it’s important to include the public in the conversation about our past. 

“The protection and manning of archeological resources is a collective responsibility,” says Badgley. “I’m a firm believer that archaeology begins and ends with the public. If it doesn’t, then why would we do it?”

In recent years, Badgley has held numerous public digs at various sites in the National Capital Region, encouraging members of the community to participate in and understand the complex heritage of the land.

Several other archaeologists and historians such as Jean-Luc Pilon, curator at the Canadian Museum of History, spoke about the importance of uncovering Ottawa’s heritage through archaeology.

Pilon discussed his recent discovery, in collaboration with Randy Boswell, Carleton University professor. Together, they uncovered the mystery of an ancient Aboriginal burial ground along the Ottawa River. Their research is set to appear the latest edition of the Canadian Journal of Archaeology.

Their findings reveal a complex story of how digging through 19th-century newspaper articles revealed a previously unknown burial ground. It was located near the intersection of Bay and Wellington streets, in the vicinity of present-day Library and Archives Canada. This is in addition to an earlier discovery of another burial site across the river, on the grounds of today’s Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau.

“Nobody even knew that there was a possible burial site there (at Bay and Wellington) until a couple months ago when I tripped across this newspaper article,” says Boswell. The article in question was found in the Ottawa Citizen, published in June 1852, and details evidence of human remains found in the crevice of rocks at the corner of Wellington and Bay streets.

“That is a new archeological discovery for Ottawa. It tells a new story about the ancient history of the region,” says Boswell.

Boswell says it is likely that these remains come from ancient Aboriginals who chose the location due to its proximity to Chaudière Falls, which was and continues to be an important spiritual landmark for Aboriginal people in the area.

“There is a relationship that makes it more than just a series of sites, it makes it cultural landscape,” says Pilon. He says because so many artifacts and information are lost over the years, everything archaeologist are able to uncover is important in filling the gaps of our story.

The panel focused on discussing archaeology through an Algonquin-Anishinabe perspective, including the views of Ron Bernard, Councillor of the Algonquin First Nation of Pikwàkanagàn. He says that he feels it’s important to return the ancient artifacts that have been found back to the First Nations community that is closest to the location. 

“I believe that is one way that we can revive our ancient history,” says Bernard. Much of his people’s language has been lost through the process of assimilation, and he says their oral history can be restored through archaeology discoveries.

“I think that we better appreciate the place where we live when we know who lived before us, something about their lifestyles, and what it meant for them to be here,” says Pilon. “It gives us some perspective, helps us to value the land for what it has meant for so many people, and think about what we are going to pass on to other generations.”