Thanks to a partnership between the Société Promotion Grand-Pré, Saint Mary's University and Parks Canada, Jonathan Fowler will be conducting his fifth season of archaeological digs at Grand-Pré. One student from the University of Ottawa and eleven students from Saint Mary's University have enrolled in his archaeology course that begins on July 18 and ends on August 3, 2005.

Over the past five years, many visitors at Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada have appreciated the opportunity of observing this important archaeological research that has provided tangible proof of past realities in Grand-Pré. "People are drawn to archaeological work because it's hands-on history and it tells a story,"said former student Flannery Surette.

Last year's excavations brought to light the remains of previously unknown houses. Analysis of the soil layers and the artefacts uncovered suggests that these buildings may have formed part of the pre-Deportation Acadian village, that they may have been used by New England soldiers in the fall of 1755, and that they were likely destroyed by fire.

During the 2005 field school, Jonathan Fowler and his students will continue excavating these new discoveries as well as the remains of a burned Acadian house located near the memorial church. A 1734 British coin discovered last year in the burnt layer of this house dates the destructive fire to a period close to the Deportation. "Although we'll only be digging for two weeks, it would be really exciting if we found solid evidence to identify the location of either Saint-Charles-des-Mines church or the priest's house," said Jonathan Fowler. He will be giving a preliminary report on the results of this year's digs on July 30th at 11am in the tent on the grounds of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site.

The Société Promotion Grand-Pré is a non-profit organization representing the Acadian community that collaborates with Parks Canada to ensure the development and integrity of Grand-Pré National Historic Site.

For a detailed program, please consult our web site: http://www.grand-pre.com