PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Among the remains dating from the 18the century, there are fragments of saline stoneware and earthenware pottery in a remarkable state of preservation. It is estimated that these objects date from the beginning of the English regime, when the population began to settle outside the fortifications of Ville-Marie. Although no trace of buildings dating from this period has been found, housing estates granted at the end of the 18e century prove an occupation of this land.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Among the remains dating from the 19the century, there is a multitude of objects such as richly decorated crockery, leather scraps and objects used in shoemaking. There are also bones of ox, pig, sheep and instruments of butchery. The quality of the objects found evokes the possibility of a certain wealth of the people who lived on the site. “We think that the people who lived there had a high social status,” says Martin Perron, archaeologist at Hydro-Québec.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
These discoveries were made during the demolition of the parking lot of Hydro-Québec’s head office, located on René-Lévesque Boulevard, between Saint-Urbain and Clark streets, with the aim of creating a public space there. Since the 1980s, Hydro-Québec has organized archaeological research during development and development work. “We have internal directives for the preservation of archaeological and cultural heritage at Hydro-Québec,” says Martin Perron.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Researchers also uncovered the foundations of a house facing Clark Street, dating to the early 1900s.e century. This “exceptionally well-preserved” building in the heart of the city center impressed the archaeologists present on the site. There is also an almost intact well inside the house itself.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
“We’re lucky that by covering the site, the Hydro-Québec parking lot preserved all of that,” admits Martin Perron. The presence of these objects is explained because during the construction of the head office in the 1950s, there were no heritage preservation guidelines yet. The archaeologists present do not know why the building was demolished at the end of the 19th century.e century
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Around 1890, a sawmill was built in the backyard of the stone house. The floor of the old lumber yard is in remarkable condition. No objects associated with logging were found at the site. However, old plans of the city dating from the end of the 19e century and the beginning of the XXe century indicate its presence. The sawmill was active until the development of the head office of Hydro-Québec.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The anthropological research company Arkéos is commissioned by Hydro-Québec to carry out the excavation of the site. Work began four weeks ago as part of the development of a public space where the parking lot was located. From the first shovelful of earth, the archaeologists found objects, something unusual in the area. “It’s very rare for something like this to happen,” adds Martin Perron. The excavation and analysis of the objects discovered are in progress.