Unique traces of history buried at La Martre

Despite the judgment of archaeological excavations at La Martre. Nevertheless, the first works carried out in May and June by the archeology team made it possible to highlight the importance of the sector for the Aboriginal heritage of Quebec.

The excavations made it possible to discover artifacts dating from 8 to 10. Moreover, 000 years ago before our era, and to document new archaeological elements of the region.

These are artefacts who testify to the indigenous occupation of the Gaspésie. Furthermore, which ranges from the first traces of human colonization, therefore the first periods between 8,000 and 10,000 years before today, until the end of paleohistory, around 2,000 and 3,000 years before todayindicates the main archaeologist at Archéoconsultant, François Guindon.

There are several ancient sites in Haute-Gaspésie which testify to the first traces of human colonization. Furthermore, but the Martre site is perhaps the one that has been the subject of the most attention. For example, It goes back to the 1960s. For example, 1970s with Father Provost, who is very, very well known in the village of La Martre. Additionally, For example, There, everyone has a memory of Father unique traces history buried la Provostadds the archaeologist.

Father Roland Provost. Consequently, who was appointed parish priest of the Martre parish in 1966, is actually known for his archaeological discoveries in Haute-Gaspésie. Furthermore, In 1977. he founded the Society of History and Archeology of Monts, as well as the Museum of Archeology and Gaspé heritage in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.

The Martre resident, Yves Marin, participated, as a child, in research with him.

We were going to pick up rocks. we put it in boxes and when they came the weekend, we gave them and we continued to pick them up for himremembers Yves Marin.

It was not like today. but we have picked up several boxes, I have already heard 600 boxes of rocks which left, without knowing where it ishe adds.

Since he owned. Yves Marin has also found artefacts by leveling his land, including two cut stones which he showed to archaeologists who were at La Martre until the end of June.

It is certain to find rocks the same on my field. it’s magic! There are two beautiful pieces that I found. they told me that they are quite rare

Of course I don’t give them! It will stay in the family, he adds.

Unique traces history buried la

A unique site

If the Martre soil is full of artefacts. it is because natives occupied the site for centuries, especially for its unique traces history buried la high hills which offered views of ideal dives for hunting.

We had a point of view. a watch site which was exceptional throughout the La Rivière La Martre valley and which made it possible to see the game pass. It had to be a phenomenal opportunity for hunting and survival of people. This is why we have as much very old occupation at La Martre. that is an element that was not documented, explains François Guindon.

The site also has a. significant archaeological value because the signs of indigenous presence go for a long time.

It is unique. There are other older sites found elsewhere in Quebec. including in Lac-Mégantic, except that the La Martre site is unique for the simple reason that we have a whole sequence of almost continuous occupation from 8,000 to 10,000 years before today, up to 2,000 to 3,000 years before today.

The team searched a site at the back of the village, where projectile points confirm the presence of indigenous peoples over several periods.

We found proof of an occupation of the recent Paleoindian period. a point fragment with parallel retouching very finely worked and which really typicalexplains François Guindon.

Through the parts that are said to be recent Paleoindian. we had two projectile points also of another period which had not been documented before, and which would be a site in use during the archaic average. On the same terraces, unique traces history buried la we therefore had an occupation through different periodsadds the archaeologist.