• Paige

  Moorey

  - Woodland Heritage Northwest
• Shane

  Teesdale

  - Woodland Heritage Northwest

Through archaeological investigations occurring for six consecutive field seasons, four sites were revealed at the confluence of Berens Lake and the Berens River in Northwestern Ontario. Extensive excavations starting in 2021 identified two of which as large, multicomponent sites with the earliest AMS date going as far back as 6,840 +/- 30 BP. With the recovery of over a hundred thousand artifacts from one site alone, the archaeological density of the study area, as well as its significance, is well established. While lithic debitage and calcined bone account for most of the artifacts recovered, diagnostic tools have also been discovered in abundance. Connections to material cultures of Eastern and Western regions of Canada, more specifically the Canadian Plains and the Upper Great Lakes, have been drawn and continue to add to the ever-increasing curiosity of this project. Our poster aims to provide a deeper dive into the material culture of these sites, displaying broader connections through the examination of projectile points and copper artifacts recovered. We hope the ongoing excavation of this project will help further the understanding of regional trade in the archaeological past within Central Canada and the Northern Boreal forest. 

• Mathieu

  Dore

The proposed research conducts a comparative analysis of the 3D recording capabilities of CREALITY’s Ferret, the iPhone 17 and the standardized hand-drawn method. Current methodologies for recording arctic features involve time consuming measured drawings of each structural stone, or limited photographs of the feature. By utilizing 3D scans from these portable and affordable technologies, archaeologists will be able to gather accurate data with increased interpretive and community-oriented value.

To assess properly the capabilities of these devices, proof of concept testing has been completed in laboratory space at the Department of Anthropology (U of S). Fieldwork in the form of a survey within Nunavut will be conducted in partnership with Stantec Consulting. Here, the Ferret, the iPhone 17 pro, and the analog method will be deployed to gather secure recording data for analysis. Key metrics for analysis include accuracy (through calibrated reference points), speed, data security, interpretive value, change detection capabilities, time and cost.

Following fieldwork, the effectiveness of each technology and the programs that they rely on will be determined based on an aggregate of key metrics. My research will result in situational recommendations for each area of archaeological work including CRM, community based participatory research, and scholastic pursuits.

• Alpha

  Hui

  - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
• Christine

  Conlan

  - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
• Claudia T.

  Kraan

  - Independent Researcher, Willemstad, Curaçao
• Hua

  Zhang

  - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
• Christina

  Giovas

  - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
• Dongya

  Yang

  - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Curaçao white-tailed deer are an endangered subspecies endemic to the Southern Caribbean island of Curaçao. Curaçao’s deer are thought to have been introduced from Venezuela by the Arawakan-speaking people, known today as the Caquetío, prior to European contact. This study aims to recover and analyze DNA from historical deer remains in Christoffel National Park to assess the feasibility of studying DNA from older archaeological materials. The Caribbean’s hot and humid climate is typically unfavourable for DNA preservation, making ancient DNA analysis challenging in this region.

In this study, nine bone samples dating back over 30 years yielded DNA sufficient for species identification (mitochondrial DNA) and sex identification (nuclear DNA). Preliminary analysis of mitochondrial D-loop fragments, combined with comparisons to published mtDNA data, suggests a distinctive mtDNA pattern for this subspecies. These historic DNA data may provide a reference for comparison with older archaeological samples, helping to clarify the timeline and the geographic and genetic origins of this island population.

Future research on pre-contact deer remains will help track long-term population changes and assess whether interbreeding occurred before or after European contact, informing both natural history and conservation efforts.

• Christina

  Poletto

  - ASA Calgary
• ASA

  Executives

  - ASA Calgary

Janet’s enduring commitment to public education in archaeology continues to shape the values and activities of the Archaeological Society of Alberta, Calgary Centre. A dynamic leader who served in multiple executive roles—including six years as President—Janet championed accessible, community‑focused archaeology and inspired a culture of curiosity, stewardship, and volunteerism. Today, ASA Calgary continues to honor her legacy through a wide range of engagement initiatives designed to connect the public with Alberta’s archaeological heritage. These efforts include hands‑on educational programming, public lectures, field opportunities, and collaborative outreach with schools and community groups. In addition, the Centre supports emerging researchers and community projects through grants and funding streams that reflect Janet’s belief in empowering others to contribute to archaeological knowledge. Through these ongoing programs, ASA Calgary continues to embody Janet’s vision of an informed and engaged public, ensuring that her passion for archaeology and community education remains a guiding force for future generations.  

• Ranger

  MacLennan

  - University of Alberta
• Thanos

  Tsounis

  - Ember Archaeology

The Limestone Mountain region in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains has yielded a substantial quantity of lithic debris from pre-colonial archaeological sites. This paper compares three sites—ElPu-1, ElPu-3, and ElPu-6—to determine their function and, more broadly, to understand ancient flintknapping techniques. Large assemblages, containing tens of thousands of lithic debris, complicate processing and data collection. Separating complete and incomplete flakes, washing and sorting in an assembly-line system, and then measuring platform metrics was implemented to overcome this challenge. This approach noticeably optimized productivity. Analysis revealed that platform dimensions provide more meaningful data for comparison and statistical testing than traditional approaches to studying lithics, such as size classes and cortex amount. The consistent presence of small tertiary flakes across sites indicates that they all functioned as late-stage stone-tool manufacturing locations. Additionally, while the amount of dorsal cortex does not reliably reflect lithic reduction techniques, platform metrics show greater promise in revealing differences in reduction strategies between sites.​​

• Jade

  McNab

  - University of Lethbridge
• Haylie

  Beatch

  - University of Lethbridge
• Kenneth

  Holyoke

  - University of Lethbridge

Located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, the historical role of Fort Calgary (EgPm-5) as it relates to colonial expansion on the Plains is well known. Despite this, the archaeology work undertaken at the site exploring these histories is poorly understood. At least 11 CRM-related projects have taken place on the site of the former fort, as well as a field school that ran in the 1990s and early 2000s. Among these projects was a large excavation undertaken in 2000 that resulted in the recovery of thousands of artifacts. A portion of this collection is now being used as a teaching and research tool at the University of Lethbridge, where undergraduate and graduate students are working to catalogue, analyze, and contextualize its finds. This process has provided students with practical experience in Historic-period artifact analysis while also generating preliminary insights into foodways, site activities, and the complicated depositional history of the Confluence. Our poster outlines preliminary findings from the 2025-26 academic year, and our continued efforts to reconstruct the context of the assemblage through historical records, CRM reports, and the artifacts themselves demonstrating both the research value of legacy collections and the challenges that they present.

• Dominique

  Rosero
• Cerena

  Bond
• Victor

  Tamez Rodriguez
• Maxime

  Lamoureux-St-Hilaire

The Dolores Slow Archaeology Program conducts collaborative fieldwork in Dolores, Petén, Guatemala to enhance and further archaeological research of the Maya civilization. Guided by the practices and values of Slow Archaeology, ethnographic interviews are a key component of this project. Under the mentorship of Dr. Maxime Lamoureux-St-Hilaire, undergraduate research assistants are tasked with transcribing Spanish-spoken interviews centering heritage community members, including local grassroots archaeologists in Dolores. The purpose of these interviews is to gain insight into their multi-generational pursuit in archaeology and how present participants view themselves and their work. Dialogue explores memory, labour, knowledge and a path forward to create more collaborative and inclusive spaces for people in the present to illuminate the past. Audio files are automatically transcribed using open-access software called Vibe, and RAs work to ensure clarity and accuracy in the final transcription. They also work to interpret vocabulary such as site names, prominent researchers in the field, methodologies and techniques, as well as native flora and fauna. Because the employment of ethnoarchaeology is a relatively new technique, RAs are tasked with developing a protocol for transcribing spoken language in the Doloreño community.Aspects of this protocol include preserving their dialect and directly translating what is spoken.

• Katherine

  Towers-Jones

  - Ecofor Consulting Ltd. and Vancouver Island University
• Zebedee

  Kawei

  - Ecofor Consulting Ltd.

Chert is a commonly used lithic material in archaeological assemblages. Sourcing chert back to specific geological outcrops can provide insight into past mobility, trade, and land-use patterns. This study compares chert artifacts from sites around Surprise Lake, BC to material from known chert outcrops and quarries in the surrounding region, with the aim of assessing the feasibility of chert sourcing strategies. A range of analytical techniques are considered, including macroscopic visual identification, thin-section analysis, and geochemical approaches such as X-ray fluorescence. Each method is assessed in terms of its applicability to the study region, as well as its strengths, limitations, cost, and level of precision. This study identifies appropriate sourcing techniques for this region of Northern BC/Southern Yukon and supports a multi-method approach to chert sourcing for future studies.

• Amy

  Thompson

  - Department of Anthropology, Trent University
• Caroline

  Meyer

  - Department of Anthropology, Trent University
• Ash

  Buchanan

  - Department of Anthropology, Trent University
• Katherine

  Dolan

  - Department of Anthropology, Trent University
• Paul

  Szpak

  - Department of Anthropology, Trent University

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) of archaeological bone collagen is often used to identify dietary characteristics and mobility patterns of ancient humans and animals. Stable carbon isotope compositions (δ13C) of bone collagen are commonly used to identify the abundance and variety of plant contributions to diet. Different plant photosynthetic pathways, particularly C3 and C4, have distinct δ13C ranges. 13C-depleted lipids, abundant in some bone tissue, can skew δ13C values downward, obscuring true collagen δ13C and creating inaccurate interpretations. Lipids can be preserved in archaeological specimens, presenting challenges for accurate SIA. Currently, there are no systematic studies of the efficacy of different chemical treatments for removing lipid contaminants from bone. Our multi-factorial analysis fills this research gap by comparing the efficacy of two chemical treatments (chloroform-methanol and dichloromethane-methanol) over five different time intervals and on two different size fractions of bone. Each of the 22 treatments was performed on 40 unique bones from marine and terrestrial animals. We outline the relative merits of different approaches to lipid extraction and make recommendations for researchers to implement in their collagen pretreatment protocols.

• Mckenzie

  Strath

  - Simon Fraser University
• Paolo

  Boscato

  - University of Siena
• Francesco

  Boschin

  - University of Siena
• Francesco

  Berna

  - Simon Fraser University, University of Siena

The Oscurusciuto (OSC) Rock Shelter in Apulia, Italy, contains numerous well-preserved hearths. These hearths date to around 55,000–43,000 years ago and are associated with the Mousterian lithic industry in stratified deposits. OSC thus offers an ideal context for investigating fire-related cognitive skills of the last Neanderthal groups of southern Europe. This preliminary study examines eight hearth deposits from stratigraphic unit (SU) 13, using micromorphology to identify well-preserved microlayers of wood ash. It will also be used to detect the presence of pyrite and chert residues, as well as ashed plant pseudomorphs, phytoliths, microcharcoal, bone fragments, and heat-transformed lithics. Fourier-transform infrared microscopy (mFTIR) is also used to assess the temperature reached by clay minerals and bone fragments included in the fire ashes. Our preliminary results allow us to shed light on important aspects of Neanderthal fire-making behaviour, such as fuel selection, combustion conditions (temperature, duration, oxidation levels), and possibly the identification of fire-starting techniques, such as the use of pyrite and flint.

• Erik

  Johannesson

  - Lifeways of Canada Limited
• Jason

  Roe

  - Lifeways of Canada Limited

Like this session, this poster honors Janet Blakey and her contributions to the field of archaeology, focusing on her time at, and impact on, Lifeways of Canada Limited, which was her vocational home for over 20 years. At Lifeways, Janet made key contributions to archaeological studies at several highly important archaeological sites in Alberta, such as the Junction Site, the Stampede Site, the Everblue Springs Site and the Spitzee Whiskey Post, to name but a few. She was also invaluable in managing the lab, specializing in faunal analysis, and over the years mentored much of the staff at Lifeways in artifact analysis and data processing. She contributed to several significant publications, including reports and articles on the impact of the 2013 Flood on historic resources, and she designed and co-authored numerous award-winning conference posters. Janet’s passion for public archaeology is well known, and under her leadership the Archaeological Society of Alberta successfully sponsored and developed a range of speaker series, archaeological fieldwork projects, and other outreach programs. Janet’s passion for archaeology was virtually boundless and her zest for life and keen intellect continues to be sorely missed, not just at Lifeways, but across the many networks and organizations she touched.  

• Zoe

  Cascadden-Jassal

  - University of Calgary
• Lindsay

  Amundsen-Meyer

  - University of Calgary

The pedagogies and teaching strategies used in archaeology has shifted as community archaeology has grown in North American archaeology. Within this shift, land-based learning experiences have been identified as important opportunities for students to connect with and critically understand the deeper implications of what they are learning. This poster will discuss the outcomes of a study that explored the benefit in learning students received from in-the-field learning and inclusion of non-University affiliated educators including Indigenous Elders, heritage experts, and professional archaeologists in learning curricula. We will present the results of a multi-year Scholarship of Teaching and Learning study completed during three seasons of the University of Calgary field school. Data collected through anonymous reflections and group interviews was analyzed using Thematic Analysis.  The data was codified and key themes were identified for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 field seasons. Some of the key themes included increased inter-cultural competency confidence, connection of landscape and archaeology, and increased understanding of the complexities of archaeology and Indigenous history.

• Jayne

  Platzer

  - University of Alberta

This poster will examine the lithic raw materials of debris and projectile points from archaeological sites near Limestone Mountain, Alberta. While the projectile point assemblage is made from mostly locally and regionally available materials, the debitage assemblages are dominated by a locally available material (siltstone), with very few pieces of exotic materials, such as Obsidian, Knife River Flint and Avon Chert. Portable X-Ray Fluorescence analysis (pXRF) of the obsidian indicates it was collected from Obsidian Cliff, Wyoming. The presence of debitage made from exotic materials suggests that the pre-colonial inhabitants of Limestone Mountain had access to these materials, yet no projectile points or tools were left behind made from them. I will examine why this might be and how that may be a reflection of mobility and resource choices in the Rocky Mountains.

• Jiawei

  Zhang

  - Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University
• Willem

  King

  - Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University
• Hua

  Zhang

  - Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University
• Christina

  Giovas

  - Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University
• Dongya

  Yang

  - Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University

Ancient DNA (aDNA) offers significant opportunities to identify bird species from archaeological remains, yet tropical environments pose significant technical challenges: low bone density reduces DNA preservation, and hot, humid climates accelerate degradation. In Caribbean archaeological contexts, approximately 75% of avian remains are unidentified using morphological methods alone, limiting our understanding of bird diversity and Indigenous exploitation prior to European arrival. This research investigates aDNA approaches for Caribbean archaeological bird species identification.

Eleven avian bone samples from Santa Barbara, Curaçao, were selected for DNA extraction. Initial testing using universal COI barcoding primers (175bp) failed to amplify. A shorter 12S rDNA fragment (140bp) with enhanced PCR conditions achieved a 50% success rate (3/6 samples). Building on these results, a custom COI primer (133bp) specifically targeting Caribbean avifauna achieved a 6/6 amplification success rate.

Compared with ancient avian DNA from other regions, our Caribbean samples show severe degradation, underscoring the value of region-specific primer design. These results demonstrate that taxon-specific, shortened primers are key to improving aDNA recovery from degraded Caribbean archaeological faunal material.

This study provides methodological insights for aDNA research in challenging tropical contexts, with direct applications to understanding indigenous subsistence practices and paleoenvironmental reconstruction in Curaçao and across the Caribbean.

• Sam

  Judson

  - University of Calgary
• Zoe

  Cascadden-Jassal

  - University of Calgary
• Lindsay

  Amundsen-Meyer

  - University of Calgary

After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Calgary’s Public Archaeology Program returned in 2024. With support from the Archaeological Society of Alberta, the public archaeology program has been officially rebooted with great success. Running within the University of Calgary’s Plains Archaeology Field School, the public program has been, and will continue to be, run by a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Lindsay Amundsen-Meyer. This provides a key opportunity for a graduate student to get hands-on experience with a leadership role within a larger field project, as well as improve their communication, organizational and administration skills. Over the past two years, more than 60 members of the public have participated in the Public Archaeology Program, and early registration numbers for the 2026 iteration of the project indicate it will be another fully booked, busy and exciting year for the Public Archaeology Program. This poster will summarize the past two years of the University of Calgary’s Public Archaeology Program, while also highlighting specific wins, areas in which the program can be improved, ideas to enhance the program, and preliminary predictions and data regarding the 2026 program. 

• Adam

  Brotherton

  - Mount Royal University
• Maxime

  Lamoureux-St-Hilaire

  - Mount Royal University

Mount Royal University (MRU) holds a vast pottery collection excavated at the ancient Nubian city of Meroë (Sudan), some of which is now used for teaching purposes. Surprisingly and despite a complex history of ceramic production, little research has been done in regards to proposing a comprehensive ceramic classification system for Meroë. This poster presents a new type-variety classification for Meroitic pottery that goes beyond the traditional four-clay-colour system (Brown, Red, Grey, and Eggshell).

The proposed type-variety classification system was developed based on the analysis of a sample of 1614 sherds from MRU’s collection. The principal attributes used for the system are: the clay colour and visible inclusions, the presence of overall external surface treatment (such as slip), and further research into broader decoration metrics. Our results suggest that up to 36 type-varieties can be reconstructed for Meroitic pottery, organized around five distinct clay types (adding a new distinction between fine and coarse red), a mix of slipped/unslipped surface treatments, and decorated/undecorated vessels.

Join us to discuss the research process behind the creation of this system and to explore photographs of some of the most diagnostic new pottery types we propose.

• Tamara

  Moore

  - The Bodo Archaeological Society

A look at public archaeology, what it is, and what it offers. Specifically, this poster will be examining public archaeology in Alberta, emphasing the role that the Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre has played in public arhaeology in Western Canada. 

• Fynley

  Calder-Rasmussen

  - Royal Saskatchewan Museum

New technologies and techniques have made archaeological pottery reconstructions increasingly rare in research contexts, and recognition of the damage caused by this practice has prompted shifts in materials and methods where it is still applied. At the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, vessels reconstructed with adhesives now recognized as inherently damaging to pottery were identified in the collection with conservators tasked with deconstruction to prevent further damage. This process is presented as our pilot study that focused on removing such adhesives from prehistoric pottery from a significant bison drive site in Southcentral Saskatchewan (EcNm-8). UV-A induced visible fluorescence photography and spot testing were employed to identify the adhesives present followed by mechanical and chemical removal of the adhesives as dictated by the types identified. Due to the porosity of the ceramic fabric, complete adhesive removal cannot be claimed. However, this treatment achieved the maximum practical reduction consistent with conservation best practice.

• Jacinda

  Sinclair

  - Memorial University

Public imagination often views the archaeological site as something far away, isolated, and confined to a discrete point in the past. Similarly, archaeologists are routinely thought of as impartial, inherently scientific, and comprehensively thorough. However, for anyone who has been in the field, it is immediately clear that reality is far more complicated. Decisions about data collection, interpretation, and subsequent conclusions, are complicated products of logistical, methodological, and even ethical concerns. At any point in the research process, a single choice may have lasting outcomes potentially affecting not only future research possibilities, but also all present and future stakeholders. How archaeologists have navigated these issues has evolved throughout the discipline’s existence and will continue to do so. This poster explores these ideas and their implications using the Labrador Inuit site of Avertok, excavated in 1934 and 2017-2018, as a case study. While definitive answers are beyond this poster’s scope, it aims to encourage continued questioning of the processes behind how archaeological knowledge is collected, created, and shared. 

• FRANÇOIS

  GUINDON

  - Archéoconsultant inc.

Toolkit is the result of a three-year applied research and development initiative led by the Archéoconsultant team, in collaboration with professional software developers. Following two years of iterative prototyping and field testing, Toolkit has evolved into a bespoke, production-ready digital environment, designed specifically for professional archaeological practice.

The platform was developed to address persistent limitations in archaeological data management by supporting the entire archaeological workflow within a single system. Toolkit enables standardized field data recording through structured forms, as well as graphical recording, including stratigraphic drawings. It operates across diverse field contexts, including shovel test pit surveys, excavations in Indigenous contexts, and fieldwork based on the Tikal methodology.

Observed results include measurable productivity gains, improved data consistency through error detection (e.g., duplicates), partial automation of recurrent tasks, and remote monitoring of team progress. More broadly, Toolkit contributes to increased efficiency, improved data quality, and enhanced collective intelligence through integrated information sharing.

• Emma

  Culligan

  - Oak Island Materials and Archaeological Services
• Jillian

  Parsons

  - Oak Island Materials and Archaeological Services
• Fiona

  Steele

  - Oak Island Archives and Research Organization

Two plaquette-style figurines recovered from the banks of the LaHave River, Nova Scotia, were analyzed by Oak Island Materials and Archaeological Services (OIMAS) to assess their composition and potential historical affiliation. The region is in proximity to Isaac de Razilly’s 1632 Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce, an enduring archaeological significance as part of early French colonial settlement. Using complementary X-ray techniques – X-ray Microscopy (XRM/CT), micro-X-ray Fluorescence (µXRF), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) – the study examined the figurines’ elemental, mineralogical, and structural characteristics to distinguish historic from modern manufacture. µXRF results showing high silicon and aluminum with minimal calcium indicate a non-calcareous, quartz-rich, illitic/micaceous aluminosilicate clay body. XRM/CT imaging revealed a heterogeneous, void-rich internal fabric with elongated pores and limited vitrification, while XRD confirmed a quartz-dominant composition containing illite/phengite, anatase, and minor mullite. Evidence of uneven firing, non-vitrified core and surface-localized mullite, suggests a low-to-mid firing range. Comparison with eighteenth-century clay pipes revealed shared commonalities in raw materials, processing and firing; contrasting with the refined kaolinitic clays of later manufacture. Considering the analytical results alongside regional history, the evidence aligns most closely with seventeenth- to eighteenth-century earthenware production, while not negating alternative origins, favouring early modern rather than contemporary ceramic technology.