Ontario Archaeological Society

The Ontario Archaeological Society is a Canadian organization that was founded in January 1951 and deals with the archeology of Ontario and thus makes a significant contribution to the history of the province. It publishes the biannual journal Ontario Archaeology and two times per month, the Arch Notes; added monographs. Its seat is located in the Ashbridge Estate in the east of Toronto, the capital of the province. President is Jean -Luc Pilon.

History

Archaeology has long been one of the Canadian public hardly perceived scientific discipline in the province of Ontario. The history of Ontario began at best, with the discovery by Europeans early 16th century. Inspired by lectures by John Norman Emerson (1917-1978), the leading archaeologists of Anthropology at the University of Toronto, a group of interested people came together who wanted to change this situation. For this purpose, a publication organ should set up the cooperation and exchange of information are encouraged, as well as the lessons. In addition, illegal excavation should be prevented.

Emerson acquired 1938/39, first excavation experience at Philleo Nash, as he supported the excavation at the Pound site in Southwestern Ontario. As early as 1939 there was a first publication, entitled Digging Up the Past with Grapefruit Knives. In the same year he accompanied Kenneth E. Kidd to Rock Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park. The next year he went for Fay Cooper Cole of the University of Chicago for the Kincaid Site in Illinois, where he dug up a Mound, one of the big hill, left by the Mound Builder. Norman refused appeals from Yale, Harvard and Pennsylvania to do a doctorate in Anthropology (1954). After the war he became Lecturer Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He initiated, supervised and directed nearly 50 field seasons as Supervisor of Archaeological Studies, founded an archaeological laboratory and an archaeological society in order to increase the width effect and raise funds.

From 1960, he conducted the first, today's popular throughout Canada, archaeological field schools ( archaeological field schools ) where students could learn in practice how to perform in complex economic and cultural field, together with the First Nations, trenching ( Pic River in 1960, Cahiagué 1961-1967 ). His specialty was the Middle and Late Woodland period (Middle and Late Woodland ) and the Iroquois. He was Vice- President of the Canadian Archaeological Association, 1975-76 its president in 1968. In 1970 he became president of the Ontario Archaeological Society, and obtained from the 1978 Smith - Wintemberg Award for outstanding contributions to Canadian archeology.

The first issue of Ontario Archaeology was published until 1958 due to lack of funds. Previously published 1956 - 1962 editions of the five New Pages of Prehistory. Later, the Arch Notes were added, spread the twice monthly trade news. The growing number of members and finally the support of the government of the province allowed a place in a private office and the hiring of full-time workers. Meanwhile, there are separate associations in Hamilton, Huronia, London, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor. Regular workshops, courses and seminars are held, as well as conferences. A separate library and an excavation database significantly support research and teaching.