PAC 2016: Fragments of Humanity

Fragments of Humanity - Fragments d’humanité

Archaeology in Québec 

February 13, 2016 - January 8, 2017

This is the very first major exhibition dedicated entirely to Québec archaeology. It celebrates the 50 years of archaeological discovery in Québec. It features some 350 significant pieces, chosen from among collections and finds from archaeological digs carried out at over 10,000 sites throughout the territory of Québec. They are objects that reflect Quebec's past and tell the province's story while revealing a wide range of of the objects' origin and variety. The great majority of the pieces have never been seen by the general public. They were taken out of the Ministry of Culture and Communications’ (MCC) archaeological reserve for the very first time.

Fragments of Humanity also features objects from extensive heritage collections that are largely unknown to the public. The Bécancour collection, a treasury of projectile points, some of which may date back over 8,000 years, is the oldest archaeological collection in Canada.

The Burger collection, for its part, includes some objects that date back 5,000 years. This collection was amassed between 1930 and 1950 by an American, Valerie Burger, who collected close to 2,000 artefacts around Kempt and Manouane lakes, in the Upper Mauricie region, with the help of members of the Atikamekw community. Visitors to the exhibition will also get to see several pieces from the archaeological collection of Place-Royale in Québec City, designated as heritage objects, and also from Pointe-à-Callière’s collection.

Conceived and promoted by the Pointe-à-Callière (PAC) Museum of Archaeology and History, the exhibition also featuring objects from about ten other lenders including the City of Montréal, Québec City, Pointe-du-Buisson/Musée québécois d’archéologie, the Musée des Ursulines in Trois-Rivières, Avataq Cultural Institute, and Parks Canada.

The exhibition looks back at the events and ways of life behind the discovered fragments of our historical humanity. Each in their own way, these fragments reveal various facets of our heritage.

Presented both chronologically and thematically, the exhibition—which highlights the richness and diversity of Québec’s archaeological collections—is divided into four zones:

• ancient stories or prehistoric archaeology
• a land of trade and commerce
• chronicles of daily life
• and stories from the depths

After Montreal, the exhibition will embark on a tour that will take it to several other places in Québec and Canada.

Fragments of Humanity. Archaeology in Québec is an exhibition produced by Pointe-à-Callière, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Communications. The exhibition received financial support from the Government of Canada. 

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For more information, visit the PAC Museum website.