More than 200,000 artefacts dating back to 1827 have been found by archaeologists during excavations around Parliament Hill’s Center Block.
Excavations on Barrack Hill, a military post comprising three barracks, a prison, stables, a cookhouse and a guard house, located on what is now Parliament Hill, began in spring 2019. The military post was established by Lieutenant-Colonel John Bee in 1827 and used until 1858 d. by British soldiers during the construction of the Rideau Canal.
“This collection is what the main soldiers had,” said Steven Jarrett, the head of archeology for the Center Block renovation. “It’s very interesting to see what they have the economic ability to purchase.”
Ancient finds include a largely intact white and blue pot, coins from the early 1800s, British military uniform buttons, dice, a bottle of wine, a bottle of gin, remains of leather shoe soles, as well as numerous plates for adults and children. Jarrett said the artifacts provide insight into what life was like and the level of economic prosperity soldiers must have had to buy alcohol and children’s toys.
“It gives them a personal connection in time with us,” Jarrett said.
Some of the artifacts, including the glass bottles and dinner attire, are in better condition than others for one reason: the toilets. Without modern plumbing, people in the early to mid-1800s disposed of organic and inorganic materials by throwing them into outbuildings. Jarrett said, for the most part, the restoration work on those items wasn’t too bad, although he said one former outhouse was still “damp.”
A large white and blue pot sits on a table next to two colored glass bottles. (CTV National News)
“The latrine context allows for the survival of inorganic remains such as clothing and skin,” he said, adding that disposing of pottery and other breakable objects in this way helps ensure they are not trampled. “They survive better.”
Although not surprising, Jarrett said the discovery of more than 200,000 artifacts was a record for him.
A pink baby cup secured with duct tape was found at Barack Hill’s place. (CTV National News)
“It’s not about what they found, it’s about what we found that tells us how the military used the site and lived at the site,” Jarrett said. Barrack Hill was built to house around 150 soldiers and their families.
What happens to the artifacts now that they’ve been cleaned, glued back together, and cataloged remains to be seen.
A copper military insignia rests on what looks like a plastic kitchen tray. An image of what it would look like is shown next to the artifact. (CTV National News)
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