Dig reveals vibrant trade for 18th-century Acadians
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 | 10:47 AM ET
CBC News
A dig in the P.E.I. National Park at Greenwich is showing that Acadians who farmed the area in the 18th century were successful enough to be trading and bringing in goods from around the globe.
'Everything from English ceramics to Chinese porcelain is showing up.'— Archaeologist Rob Ferguson
Scientists and students are working on three pits on the Greenwich peninsula on the North Shore, which was a well established Acadian farming community in the early 18th century. They've revealed a cellar, a rock pile, and a garbage pit.
"When we excavate we can see the results of their farmwork, that these are successful farmers," Parks Canada archaeologist Rob Ferguson told CBC News Monday.
"They have surpluses that they're trading with Louisbourg, with New England, and they're bringing commodities in from Europe. Everything from English ceramics to Chinese porcelain is showing up on these sites."
The dig is over at the end of the month. Some of the artifacts will be shipped to Halifax for further review, while others will likely end up on display on P.E.I.
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