Lawson Site

Archaeology, Education and Reconstruction (1976-2011) - Field Stripping and Field Schools

An oblique overhead of Field Stripping and Feature Marking on the Lawson Site in 1979. Five workers use shovels and wheelbarrows to uncover the site. Post holes of former longhouses are outlined with stakes. The longhouse reconstruction and palisade are visible in the background and foreground respectively.

Field Stripping and Feature Marking - 1979

The Village Uncovered

In 1979 and 1980, Dr. Finlayson directed the field stripping of the northernmost portion of the Lawson Village between the original palisade and the forested area in the south. The stripping removed the plough-disturbed, agricultural soils and exposed the archaeological features beneath. Features included hearths (fire pits), post holes (structural) and middens (refuse pits). Until the late-1970s, only systematic block and subjective hand excavations had been undertaken on the Lawson Site.

Image of Field Stripping and Feature Marking on the Lawson Site in 1979. Three workers appear in the process of uncovering the site. Post holes of former longhouses are outlined with stakes. The longhouse reconstruction and palisade are visible in the foreground and background respectively.

Feature Marking - 1979

Three workers hunch over screens sifting dirt in this 1980 image of Lawson Site excavation. A fourth is visible in the background with a shovel and piles of dirt.

Screening - 1980

Hands-on Experience

The first conventional archaeological field school on the Lawson Site took place in the early 1970s. Since then hundreds of students from university and high school programs have experienced conventional archaeology first-hand on the Lawson Site:

  • Field Schools by Director
    • William (Bill) Finlayson: 1973, 1976 and 1978
    • Robert (Bob) Pearce: 1978-1981 and 1995-2011
    • David Smith: 1981-1986
A 1978 field school image showing five archaeologists, three excavating and two standing. One of the standing people appears to be the teacher. Straws are barely visible marking the features uncovered by the students.

Field School - 1978

Three field school students kneel next to excavations units. They are surrounded by flags, buckets, and other tools and materials.

Field School - 2000s