Hi All! As I sit here trying to decide what to write my latest blog post about, my mind instinctually thinks back to the first round of thesis-oriented fieldwork I completed in May, just a few short weeks ago. As I have mentioned before, the fieldwork required for my Master’s research is to be comprised of two parts: a survey of the site and formal excavations. It is with great pleasure I can sit here and say, not only have I completed part one, but it actually went off (relatively) without a hitch!
The overall goal of the Spring survey was to begin more closely investigating archaeological features previously identified within the overarching project’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) heritage database which is comprised of several modern and historic georeferenced maps. To achieve this, myself, my supervisor Dr. Catherine Losier, GIS specialist and PhD candidate Bryn Tapper, and translator/assistant-extraordinaire Honours student Maryssa Barras travelled to St. Pierre et Miquelon to complete a three week survey of the chosen site at Anse à Bertrand. And let me just say right quickly, talk about a dream team!! I honestly could not have asked for better assistance with my research so far and I am absolutely thrilled with all we were able to accomplish within that relatively short period of time.
With the survey, I aimed to establish an understanding of the site’s stratigraphy, possibly collect a sample of the material culture to be found there, and most pertinently, to use that time to help properly prepare for the forthcoming excavations. I am so happy to report that each of these three objectives was achieved! Not only did we shoot in hundreds of survey points with the total station but we were also permitted to dig a few small testing units, which in turn, allowed us to gain a very good understanding of the site’s soil and stratigraphy. What is perhaps most exciting is that these units also revealed several different artifacts (ceramics, glass, and metal), a number of which can be dated back to the time period of my research, the 18th century! Pictured above are pieces of Norman and Breton stoneware, the lip of a bottle characteristic of 18th century French wine bottles, as well as a piece of a (smoking) pipe stem.
While it is true that we have had documentary evidence of an early occupation at Anse a Bertrand for some time now, as an archaeologist, the sense of relief I experienced when we uncovered these early occupation artifacts was truly something. This, of course, ultimately means that the research plan I just spent the bulk of this past year devising, can actually proceed as planned! Since I am working on a site that has never before been studied -archaeologically or otherwise, it was, at times, quite challenging to plan some aspects of my project. For example, how could I begin to answer questions about the 17th and 18th century cod fishermen who lived and worked at the site if there was actually no remaining physical evidence of their occupation? Similarly, what would I do if I had not have received the funding I required to travel overseas and conduct my project’s supplementary archival research this Fall?
As you’ve probably been able to guess, the reason I decided to title this entry “That moment when everything begins to fall into place…” is directly the result of my current position with my research. I’ve managed to find myself at this sweet spot in my Master’s degree, where I can now, for the first time, say with absolute certainty that the fieldwork required for my thesis research will not only go forth but it will actually be proceeding in more or less the exact way I’ve been claiming it would. Though part of this amazing moment I’ve been experiencing can undoubtedly be attributed to sheer luck, I do think that a major contributor to this success is that I was able to come up with a strong yet flexible research plan. Designing your thesis research is a funny thing. You need to be as specific as possible while simultaneously maintaining an approach that is vague enough so that your project is still capable of potentially accommodating significant changes. Realistically, you not only need to devise a Plan A and a Plan B, but for good measure you should probably also work on a Plan C.
Now, almost halfway through June, I find myself anxious, yet incredibly excited, to begin my next portion of fieldwork, the excavations! This four week dig will be taking place under this year’s Archaeology Field School throughout the month of July. Several undergraduate students from MUN, a few from other schools, as well as from Saint-Pierre will be participating and I will be working along side of them as both TA and field assistant.
Upon my arrival back in St. John’s in May, I had the pleasure of meeting the undergraduate Archaeology students who are currently enrolled in the Field School Orientation course, many of whom will be joining us in Saint-Pierre. They have already shown some incredible initiative by organizing a couple of bake sales and other fundraising efforts as a means to alleviate the costs associated with this upcoming Field School. I can’t wait to see what they are capable of in the field and I am looking forward to sharing with them the amazing experience that is visiting St. Pierre et Miquelon. After excavations, I will be staying in Saint-Pierre to complete the necessary lab work and material analyses. This means the next time you hear from me, I will be back on the island and in thick of fieldwork!
Before heading back to my favourite little archipelago next month, Dr. Losier and I will be giving a presentation on our research at the upcoming International Small Islands Conference which is being hosted by the Harris Centre here at Memorial from June 15-19. This year’s theme is “Stories, Ballads, and Island Narratives” and the conference will feature over 50 presentations delivered by people from Canada, Australia, the Cayman Islands, France, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, and the United States. There will be a wide array of topics covered including island identity, narratives, music, legends, mythology, literature, gender, migration, fisheries, tourism, creative industries, geography, place, health and wellness, and of course, archaeology. It will be a very exciting weekend to say the least!
As always, thanks for reading!
~Meghann
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