A staff of archeologists are digging in Fredericton’s Officers’ Sq. this summer time searching for any important heritage artifacts that could possibly be buried deep in the bottom.
Brent Suttie, the provincial archeologist, stated some surveys have been carried out in Officers’ Sq. up to now, however not a complete impression evaluation.
“We’re attempting to evaluate each for the navy historical past of the realm but additionally reply some questions we had about whether or not there was something right here of significance previous to the navy occupation as properly,” Suttie stated.
The province and the Metropolis of Fredericton agreed to finish the evaluation earlier than the upcoming development phases in Officers’ Sq. as a part of the revitalization venture.
Suttie and his staff have been on the grounds for 3 weeks and stated they’ve already made some finds.
“We’re discovering some actually neat issues, like for example, there is a constructing behind us that does not seem on any of our earlier maps,” Suttie defined.
Suttie stated the early discovery appears prefer it might have been a shed that was used for navy {hardware} restore.
“We discovered fairly a couple of items of navy {hardware}… some damaged, some that seem like they’ve been mended in that space.”
“It simply helps us kinda flesh out what was occurring — it is not only a parade floor, clearly there was much more taking place.”
Suttie stated the staff of individuals doing the work this summer time consists of representatives from the francophone and anglophone communities, in addition to First Nations.
Archeologists digging in Officers’ Sq. in Fredericton this summer time are searching for any important heritage artifacts. 2:12
There’s additionally some proof of farming on the location earlier than the navy occupation. Suttie stated they’re hoping to get a greater understanding of that timeline in the course of the evaluation, and who was doing the farming.
“We’re additionally performing some a lot deeper take a look at pits so we will assess proper right down to when this complete space was river backside,” Suttie stated.
Sean Lee is the assistant director of engineering and operations for the Metropolis of Fredericton, He stated the archeological evaluation will assist develop any mitigation work that must be carried out.
“As they discover issues or work with issues, we might work with them to say ‘you realize, can we shift the muse or do one thing a little bit bit completely different’, simply in order that we will respect the sources which might be within the floor,” Lee stated.
Lee stated the evaluation is the “subsequent step” within the revitalization of Officers’ Sq., and that work on the perimeter of the sector is continuous this summer time.
“We’re not doing any work within the centre of the sq. this 12 months,” Lee stated.
He stated it is doable that the findings might have an effect on the timeline for the Officers’ Sq. venture, relying on what’s discovered.
“They’re seeking to see what’s right here — I do not assume they’ve discovered something that they weren’t anticipating up to now,” he stated, including that the Metropolis will proceed to work with them because the evaluation continues.
