Potsherds, Potlids, and Politics: An Overview of Ontario Archaeology During the 1 970's

Abstract

in its archaeology during the 1970's. Indeed, this was probably the most dramatic decade to date for archaeology in the Province. Optimism, disillusionment, innovation, divisiveness, legalities, big money, new potsherds, old potlids, and site destruction were all characteristic of the decade, and were sensitive realities that emerged and developed at unprecedented rates and magnitudes. This was a decade when more field archaeology was accomplished by more persons than ever before, and the sheer volume of new information has precluded rapid analyses and dissemination of integrated knowledge about Ontario's archaeology. Currently, no written source exists that fully synthesizes Ontario archaeology. Rising public consciousness also led to expanded archaeological involvement. The Ontario Archaeological Society underwent various transformations, not the least of which was the establishment of five new regional chapters outside of the traditional Toronto centre. The Archaeological Institute of America, based in New York, also established two chapters in southern Ontario. Clearly, public interest in archaeology had not only been awakened, but was proving itself strong enough to sustain concrete expression in viable organized societies. Ontario's archaeological societies have more members than those of any other Province. The 1970' s was also a decade that saw archaeology in northern Ontario come into its own. For years this huge sector of territory, complete with an arctic coast along the southern rim of Hudson Bay (Figure 1), had been comparatively neglected. In the northwest, Professor Kenneth Dawson undertook many pioneering expeditions during the 1960's, and much of his backlogged information appeared in a virtual tide of publications during the late 1970's. The establishment of a University at Sudbury and the presence there of Professor Helen De vereux, has resulted in numerous, far-reaching projects that have helped put the archaeology ofthat area of Ontario's ' 'Near North on the map. The establishment also of Provincial Government archaeologists, variously located at Cochrane, Sault S te. Marie, Thunder Bay and Kenora, has opened much new territory and brought specific long-range programmes to the fore.

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