Some Coolopolis readers are not happy that the construction of a 27-storey skyscraper - delayed as crews searched for archaeological treasures - has resumed.
Ivanhoe-Cambridge shut down the Manuvie House construction site at 900 de Maisonneuve W. - the old Simpson's parking lot - in mid-February but announced Monday, about five weeks later, that they hadn't found anything.
The builders noted that they had hired a archaeological specialist firm, although the name of that company wasn't mentioned in a press release.
They note that the construction site is also outside of designated archeological zones, according to a provincial Culture Ministry map.
Montreal residents Ian Barrett and Robert J. Galbraith have responded with a not, accusing the builders of only digging five 10-inch test holes and not looking in the right way.
"There are old accounts of children and private collectors picking up arrowheads and stone axes exactly on this site. And now IC says there is nothing left there of the original sites. But much of the site was never built on, because the area went from Indian land to forest to farmers fields, then to 19th-century greystones on big lots with spacious gardens and lawns, and then finally covered over with parking lots. Very significantly, in 2010 and 2014 Indian artifacts were even found during sewer work right alongside the site. There is no doubt about it; this is a promising area," they wrote.
"It is important to understand that the evidence left behind in an Indian city in Canada is usually very subtle. They did not leave behind stone foundations and most of what we find are small and scattered indications of life. A piece of pottery here, an arrowhead over there. You’re not finding big strata of debris. Most of their lifestyle was organic and has disappeared. So of course, a few test holes are unlikely to produce results. A broader investigation is essential."
The note also describes Hochelaga as "one of the greatest, most legendary lost cities in the world."
Ivanhoe-Cambridge shut down the Manuvie House construction site at 900 de Maisonneuve W. - the old Simpson's parking lot - in mid-February but announced Monday, about five weeks later, that they hadn't found anything.
The builders noted that they had hired a archaeological specialist firm, although the name of that company wasn't mentioned in a press release.They note that the construction site is also outside of designated archeological zones, according to a provincial Culture Ministry map.
Montreal residents Ian Barrett and Robert J. Galbraith have responded with a not, accusing the builders of only digging five 10-inch test holes and not looking in the right way.
"There are old accounts of children and private collectors picking up arrowheads and stone axes exactly on this site. And now IC says there is nothing left there of the original sites. But much of the site was never built on, because the area went from Indian land to forest to farmers fields, then to 19th-century greystones on big lots with spacious gardens and lawns, and then finally covered over with parking lots. Very significantly, in 2010 and 2014 Indian artifacts were even found during sewer work right alongside the site. There is no doubt about it; this is a promising area," they wrote.
"It is important to understand that the evidence left behind in an Indian city in Canada is usually very subtle. They did not leave behind stone foundations and most of what we find are small and scattered indications of life. A piece of pottery here, an arrowhead over there. You’re not finding big strata of debris. Most of their lifestyle was organic and has disappeared. So of course, a few test holes are unlikely to produce results. A broader investigation is essential."
The note also describes Hochelaga as "one of the greatest, most legendary lost cities in the world."
According to library sources, the existing ICAO building sits on the original Hochelaga site.
ReplyDeleteI have not researched further, however, to determine what if anything was found there during excavation.
London evidently has firmer rules regarding historical recovery when it comes to digging the foundations of new projects.
Montreal should also be mindful of what may lie beneath.
This isn't London. I don't think we are going to solve any great mysteries by spending years digging up a few arrowheads or beads in the middle of downtown.
ReplyDeleteAn Indian burial site? Haven't these people seen Scooby Doo?
ReplyDeleteWhat is needed in Montreal is something identical the New York Landmarks Law which preserves historically-important public buildings.
ReplyDeleteRead this interesting article about the controversial demolition of NYC's Pennsylvania Station:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32890011