Ever since the third grade, whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered that I wanted to be an archaeologist. That dream made me pursue a major in anthropology and a minor in history at McGill. Today, my main interest in archaeology lies in urban and historical archaeology. Indeed, as a born and raised Montrealer, I am fascinated by my city's origins, architecture and the people that have shaped it. That is why interning at the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History (Pointe-脿-Calli猫re) was a great fit, as it combined my passion for my city鈥檚 rich history and my love for archaeology.
Through this internship, I sought hands-on experience handling and working on archaeological collections and materials. Moreover, I wanted to deepen my knowledge of archaeology outside the classroom and apply what I had learned in university for the past two years to a real context. I also wished to speak to professionals working in the field to understand their career paths and what led them to archaeology.
The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, commonly known as Pointe-脿-Calli猫re, is a testament to Montreal's rich cultural heritage and historical significance. The institution serves as both a museum and an archaeological site, offering visitors a chance to walk through excavated sites and learn about what was uncovered there. The museum鈥檚 mission is to preserve, explore, and present Montreal's captivating history, from Indigenous cultures and the city's founding to its evolution into the diverse metropolis we know today.
My assigned project concerned the archaeological depositions from Governor Louis-Hector de Calli猫re鈥檚 ch芒teau built in the 1690s that was located on present day鈥檚 Pointe-脿-Calli猫re in Montr茅al. The governor鈥檚 home was built over the initial Fort Ville-Marie established by Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Jeanne Mance in 1642. However, the fort was quickly abandoned due to its positioning on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, making it extremely susceptible to flooding. Before Calli猫re built the ch芒teau, he added soil to raise the ground level to protect against future inundations. Interestingly, in 1701 Governor Calli猫re invited thirty-nine first nations to the Pointe to sign a peace treaty with New France. This event was recorded in history as the Great Peace of Montreal. As a part of my internship, I was tasked to investigate the material record from various field seasons to determine if it would be possible to distinguish the Great Peace archaeologically.
One of my internship's highlights was opening inventory boxes from past excavations. Most objects stored in the boxes hadn鈥檛 been studied since they were unearthed in 1993. My job consisted in emptying the boxes onto trays so that their contents could be photographed. I was also responsible for sorting through hundreds of ceramic sherds to piece together broken objects such as 19th-century water pitchers and plates. It was mind-blowing to witness and interact with objects that had been part of the daily lives of 19th-century Montrealers. My favourite artifact was a ceramic figurine of a Dalmatian, which was one of the few completely intact items in the inventory. I could almost imagine the dog sitting on a shelf in someone鈥檚 home, watching the daily action unfold and the people passing under its nose. Another highlight was the privilege of working alongside archaeologists Hendrik Van Gijseghem, Fran莽ois Gignac and Louise Pottier, who were invaluable mentors and guided me every step of the way.
In the Fall, I am enrolled in a credited research class led by Dr. Peter Johansen, an archeology professor in the Anthropology department. Professor Johansen鈥檚 assistance and supervision are what made this internship opportunity possible. The course represents an extension of my prior research at the museum, which I intend to expand on to create a comprehensive research paper. This internship has enriched my university experience, confirming my belief in archaeology as a future career path. It has also afforded me the opportunity to tangibly apply the knowledge I have acquired during my past two years at McGill. Lastly, I would like to thank the Arts Internship Office and Dean Lisa Shapiro for her contribution, which allowed me to focus entirely on my internship during its eight-week duration.
