Diggin’ Ontario – a call to archaeology enthusiasts

By Nicole Findlay

If one of the items on your bucket list includes attending an archaeological field school, but your budget precludes a trip to Greece, an opportunity exists a lot closer to home.

Paul Thibaudeau, a professional archaeologist and adjunct research professor of sociology and anthropology is rounding up volunteers for a dig this summer.

Through his company, Intermesh Enterprises, Thibaudeau has been working on a pre-contract Aboriginal site located in Casselman, Ontario.

The property “is along the South Nation River which is a well-known trade route for Aboriginal peoples, and has likely been used for thousands of years,” said Thibaudeau.

Amateur and fledgling archaeologists may volunteer on the site during weekdays beginning in May or June.

The field school will teach students how to properly excavate an archaeological site, the methods for cleaning and analyzing artifacts as well as mapping and site-recording.

Thibaudeau says no experience is required; however, volunteers would need to provide a consistent time commitment to ensure they were properly trained.

Interested? Send an email to paul_thibaudeau@carleton.ca