A project for the public: Turning a rescue excavation of an 18th century cemetery into a unique visitor experience at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada draws thousands of visitors to the northeast coast of Cape Breton Island, NS every year. As a partially reconstructed 18th century colony with historic reenactors and rich immersive experiences, the popularity of this site is unsurprising. Since 2017, Dr. Scott and a team of students have been working in partnership with Parks Canada to expand what we know about this important archaeological site through the excavation and analysis of the Rochefort Point Cemetery. Prompted by ongoing climate change and coastal erosion, this project provides a unique training opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students but has also created an opportunity to explore the lives of those who called Louisbourg home based on the skeletal remains recovered. While a rich historic record and artifact collection highlights the experiences of the upper class at Louisbourg, a study of the skeletal remains provides insight into the lives of the every people who lived in this unforgiving and desolate colony. This talk will focus on the ongoing excavations at Louisbourg, some of the research outputs, and most importantly how this work has enriched the visitor experience at the site.
About the Speaker
Dr. Amy Scott is an Associate Professor at Trent University in the Departments of Anthropology and Forensic Science. Dr. Scott is also the Project Director of the Trent Bioarchaeology Field School at the Fortress of Louisbourg in partnership with Parks Canada and the Forensic Anthropologist for the Brandy Landfill Humanitarian Search in Winnipeg, MB. Dr. Scott received her BA in Anthropology from Trent University, her MA from Western University, and her PhD from the University of Manitoba. Her research interests include stress and health in the past, proteomics, paleoparasitology, bioarchaeological excavation standards, and ethics.
