Hello again everyone! I must say I feel like a lot has happened since last you’ve heard from me! In my first blog post I introduced myself, reflected a bit on my decision to go back to school, and discussed some of the reasons I was attracted to the Archaeology program here at Memorial. Since then, I managed to survive my first semester of grad school, I went home to Nova Scotia to visit friends and family for a few weeks over the holiday break, and now I find myself somehow already more than a month into my second semester, which is also my last round of coursework.
For this winter semester I am enrolled in two classes: “Interpretive Methods in Archaeology” and “The Archaeology of Ethnicity.” In addition to these two seminar-based “arky” courses, I’ve been very busy refining my research plan and trying to do everything I can to make sure this coming field season goes as smoothly as possible. I may only be about halfway through my first Newfoundland winter but my sights are already set on the spring and summer months not so far ahead of us. I’ve got to do as much planning as possible now because it’ll be time to start digging before I know it!
When trying to sort out my research plan, I find it easiest to start with talking about the work I have already done. Luckily, (as I spoke about in my first blog post), I was able to participate in a pedestrian survey of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon for a week prior to officially beginning my graduate studies. Although the week flew by, it was a huge success in that we were able to identify and map a site at Anse à Bertrand where we will be digging this coming spring and summer. Anse à Bertrand is a known fishers’ worksite on the southeastern edge of the Saint-Pierre harbour, and was considered an ideal place for the men to “push offshore” their dories for hundreds of years.
In addition to this preliminary fieldwork, I spent much of last semester being trained to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs like ArchGIS. With the tremendous help from Bryn Tapper, a PhD candidate in the Archaeology program here at Memorial, several modern and historic maps were georeferenced to establish a GIS heritage database that can be utilized to identify and describe archaeological sites and other relevant heritage resources (i.e. historic buildings, fishing paraphernalia, and forts). The heritage database described will be paramount in refining our understanding of the historical trajectory of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon.
Next, I generally move on to discuss the work that is currently being done. While, I find it is easy to get bogged down with coursework throughout the semester, I am planning to start surveying local and online archival resources very soon (likely beginning over the Winter break towards the end of this month). While Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is an overseas collectivity of France, I can’t wait to see what relevant documents may be available in the archives here in Newfoundland! I will be taking a look at The Rooms Provincial Archives, as well as Memorial’s own Centre for Newfoundland Studies and Maritime History Archives. Recently, I have also helped complete a report on the preliminary fieldwork we did this past summer and assisted my supervisor Dr. Catherine Losier in applying for permits to dig this coming season.
By addressing the work I’ve already done and am currently doing, I then have the confidence to tackle the toughest part: hammering out the details of the work I will do. What I can tell you is that this coming field season will consist of two parts: an archaeological survey and formal excavations. I’ve secured a research grant to conduct a survey of the site at Anse à Bertrand in the spring. This survey will be an opportunity to physically identify archaeological features described in the GIS heritage database. It will also be a means of establishing an understanding of the stratigraphy of the site, possibly collecting a sample of the material culture found there, and most importantly, it will allow us to properly prepare for excavations. These excavations will take place later in the summer under the Department of Archaeology’s Field School, during which I will act as field assistant.
One thing I have found to be very helpful when it comes to figuring out the details of my research plan is simply talking about it as much as possible. When it comes to trying to figure out the logistics of my upcoming fieldwork, there is no shortage of people I turn to for advice: my supervisor, other faculty members, my cohort, the second year MA students, many of the PhD students, other graduate students who are not part of my department, like friends and neighbours, and of course, last not least, my mom. There is however, also something to be said for practice. Prior to submitting my project proposal to the department, I actually had quite a bit of practice thinking of and writing about my plan. I worked on the report, I helped file for permits, and I also applied for a number of different research grants and scholarships we have available here at Memorial.
Probably one of the more interesting ways that enabled me to talk and think about my research differently, was attending “Engage with Engagement!” a Public Engagement networking dinner held at the Johnson Geo Centre on January 26. As a resident of the Battery Facility (and yes, I am still obsessed with this view!) I’ve decided to participate in the Living Learning Community pilot programme. Since the very beginning, Dr. Losier and I have planned on inviting members of the Saint-Pierre community to join us and the Field School students on our excavations during the summer. It is now my hope that by becoming involved with Public Engagement here at Memorial, I can learn about more ways and the best practices to involve the local community in my research. Stay tuned for more blog posts by me about applying the Public Engagement Framework in the near future!
Thanks for reading,
~Meghann
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