Who Lived Here Before Me?

How often do you think about people who lived in Quebec before you, and who little by little contributed to the present way of our life? If you never do, than right now, during this month of August, you have an excellent opportunity to discover more about who inhabited this land before you and how they lived.

The way of life of those people who lived on the Quebec territory long ago was nothing as what we enjoy presently. These ancient inhabitants were the true ancestors of this land. Their lives were simpler than ours, their tools quite rudimentary. Nevertheless, they possessed very effective skills to survive in a very harsh environment. Their know-how contributed to building villages and habitats where the growth of social interaction was possible.

Right now, you have an excellent opportunity to discover the Quebec’s fascinating history ranging from the ancient Indian cultures and progressing through various stages of colonization of this province. For the second year in the row, the month of August was declared to be Quebec’s Archeology Month. More than 50 archeological sites and exhibitions are participating and opening its doors to visitors.

If you don’t mind to make your hands dirty, you can even take part in real archeological digs, as illustrates on the photo to the right, and become a real archeologist yourself! Imagine how much you and your children could learn from such an experience!

The sites that are participating in the Archeology Month are spread across the province. Here is the website that lists them all: www.archeoquebec.com . Just click on the face of the smiling boy, and if you do not read French, choose English at the bottom of the topics listed on the left.

In case you prefer a personal touch, you can call for more information:
1-887-BONJOUR (1-877-266-5687)

The visit of the archeological digs might raise some questions in your mind: What type of archeological heritage are we leaving for the generations that will follow ours? What will those future people discover about us from what we leave behind? And how highly would they think of us?





Photos by Eric Piché


Photo 1. – Top: Fort St. Jean
Photo 2. – Middle: Pointe-du-Buisson Archeological Park
Photo 3. – Bottom: Droulers - Tsiionhiakwatha, St. Anicet