Archaeology
A STORIED PAST
The Basques
Placentia has long been known to the European fishing community. Seasonal fishermen visited Placentia every summer to catch and dry cod, to be sold later in the year in European markets. Basque sailors in particular were frequent visitors to this area throughout the sixteenth century.
The French
Year-round settlement began in earnest in 1662, when King Louis XIV’s government funded an official colony at Plaisance to protect France’s interests in Newfoundland. Plaisance would quickly become the most important French settlement in Newfoundland. Many refer to this settlement as the ‘Ancient French Capital of Newfoundland’. Plaisance was attacked several times in the 17th century as conflicts in far-off Europe spread to French and English colonies in North America. Most Plaisantins moved away to form a new colony at Fortress Louisbourg in Nova Scotia.
The English
By 1714, the English had taken control of their new colony, renaming it Placentia. They proceeded to make investments, supplying soldiers and officers to work on the fortifications. These people continued to make their homes here, making Placentia a major English centre in Newfoundland. In 1786, Prince William Henry (later William IV of England) was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Placentia and lived here for several months.
The Irish
Irish settlement became entrenched in Placentia as early as the eighteenth century. The presence of Irish merchants in Placentia (particularly the Sweetman and Saunders firm) encouraged further immigration from Ireland. Many of the families resident in Placentia today trace their roots to this period of Irish migration.
A FASCINATING PRESENT
Watch our archaeology crews at work uncovering artifacts and buried structures!
Visit the sites of the French Fort Louis and the British New Fort where archaeologists have uncovered massive military foundations and fascinating artifacts from French and English families dating back to the 1600s. The more adventurous tourist can visit the nearby Vieux Fort, the first fort built by the French in Placentia.
Come and visit Placentia today and see this multi-cultural history revealed in front of you! The Placentia Uncovered / Plaisance à découvert Archaeology Project explores this ancient and history.
Contact Information:
All sites can be visited Monday to Friday from mid-June until the end of August. Bus tours and off-season tours can be accommodated on request. Please contact the Town of Placentia (709-227-2151)
For more information
http://www.placentia.ca
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/placentia/frames.htm
http://www.mun.ca/archaeology/outreach/index.html
