and launched the first archaeological review in the province with Rene Ribes. Roger Marois became the first graduate student in Quebec archaeology and major excavations were done at Côteau-du-Lac, Morrison’s Island, Allumette Island, Pointe-du-Buisson, Batiscan, La Martre, Bourassa, Beaumier, Berry, Mistassini-Albanel and many other sites. SAPQ (Société d’Archéologie Préhistorique du Québec) and Parcs Canada did especially good jobs. Regional societies became active and historic archaeology also became important at Ile aux Noix, Place Royale, Côteau-du-Lac, and Forges du Saint-Maurice.

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Archaeologists dig at the site of St. James Bay in Quebec

(Dave G. Houser/Corbis)

The new interest in archaeology in Quebec was due to negative feelings of being late and left behind in this field of knowledge and to a more positive articulation of self within canada. A new desire to know exactly what had happened in the past replaced authoritative and uncritical judgement by the people of Quebec about themselves, about others, and about the past. At the same time that archaeology developed, the need for good ethnology and for a new kind of history developed as well. This important ideological shift and the development of archaeology was part of Quebec’s new involvement with science. While being pleased by and involved with this new flow of knowledge, would-be archaeologists also had to learn how to contribute in a positive way to these trends. They focussed on obtaining facts, leaving no time for analysis and interpretation.

By the 1970s the Université de Montreal had created a special program of Quebec Archaeology (1973) along with a summer field-school (1977). The Université du Quebec à Montreal (UQAM) also presented an undergraduate program in archaeology, as did McGill University. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs organized a more efficient direction for archaeology and ethnology, passing a new law on cultural heritage (1972). When large hydro-electricity developments were launched in northern Quebec in 1972, there were summer jobs for all archaeologists surveying and excavating before the sites were covered by water. Out of this, students created private companies to survey the