Terracotta jar made in France between 1716 and unearthed
at the Université Laval teaching dig site at the Palais de l'Intendant. It would
have been used to store liquids in the King's storehouses.
Photo: Ville de Québec
Over the course of its history, Québec City has served as a capital, a
fortress, a seaport, a religious center, a city of knowledge, and the
cradle of French civilization in North America. Signs of its many
identities can be found right under our feet, in a library of knowledge
buried beneath the surface of the old city. These hidden remnants of
days gone by-the raw material of archeologists-can teach us volumes.
Archeological digs provide a diverse physical context for Québec City's trek
through time. The unearthed relics speak of the city's people and their way of
life, teaching us about the key events that have marked the presence of
humanity, from the river's shores to the city's hinterland.
Archeology has drawn great interest in Québec City for over 25 years. While
excavations began as limited projects at specific sites, they have grown into
partnership initiatives between universities and the public and private sectors
aimed at identifying sites of interest throughout the historic area and
undertaking digs.
Agreements with the provincial government have led the City of Québec to
commit to protecting and developing various sites of archeological interest. As
part of these efforts, the Old City provides public access to archeological
works in progress through an interpretation program that includes publications,
tours, and interior and exterior signage.