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Archaeology Project: Uncovering History at Fort Point
Ongoing

In 2024, we are excited to embark on a significant archaeological project at Fort Point, a National Historic Site rich with history and cultural heritage. Our primary research goal is to relocate excavation units from 1977 that encountered what is believed to be the palisade of the original 17th-century French Fort, known as Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce. A palisade is a tall wooden fence constructed with logs, surrounding the fortifications of that period. Our aim is to unearth a section of this feature, which was noted in the 1977 excavation.

Given that the fort was burned in the 1650s, we plan to collect charcoal samples for radiocarbon dating. This will help us determine if the feature is indeed related to the original fort. As we expand on the previous excavations, we anticipate uncovering other remnants of the fort, such as pottery, clay smoking pipes, nails, and other materials that may have been discarded near the palisade during the fort’s construction and use.

Beyond our research objectives, the goal of our public archaeology program is to raise awareness of the rich heritage resources in the LaHave region. While our team works to uncover these historical features, we invite the community to engage with the process and appreciate the deep history that lies just beneath the surface. Public archaeology programs like ours, modeled after the successful initiatives at Fort Saint Louis in Port La Tour, bring communities together and foster a greater appreciation for the cultural value of these sites. Through this hands-on experience, we aim to ensure that the history of Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce and the LaHave region remains a vibrant part of our collective memory.

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