Many historical ports have vast underwater artefact scatters, conceptualised by Gaëlle Dieulefet (2013) as palimpsests of regional transport networks – but also seen as an easy source of collectables by recreational divers. In 2024, we surveyed a portion of the artefact scatter at the underwater site of Anse-aux-Batteaux, a 19th-century river port in western Québec. The surveyed area covered about 20 by 50 metres, along the line of a wharf demolished about 1874. In addition to structural remains of the wharf, the surveyed area has a wide range of ceramic, glass and metal artefacts that carpet the surface of the submerged soil. Mapping, identifying and dating this extensive assemblage has produced new insights into the site’s timeline, notably indicating the wharf’s use as early as about 1830. The collection also sheds light on the commercial networks of the wharf’s owners, Orton Pease and his son-in-law B.W. Bridges, both originally from the United States and heavily involved in river transport along the Canada-US boundary.

The Boultenhouse Shipyard Archaeological Project conducted a non-invasive survey on the suspected site of the 19^th century shipyard owned and operated by Christopher Boultenhouse in Sackville, New Brunswick. This land, deeded to the Tantramar Heritage Trust in 2006, was archaeologically investigated through non-invasive methods to add to what is known of the 19^th century activities of Boultenhouse and in preparation for archaeological excavation. The survey consisted of a LiDAR survey, a resistivity survey, and a pedestrian survey, supplemented by aerial photos dating back to 1945 and historical maps and documents. The results of the survey revealed extensive subsurface cultural resources, including a linear feature believed to be the old (possibly pre-Loyalist) dyke and a square feature aligned to it, a linear feature running southwest to northeast (possibly a road), a linear feature running northwest to southeast (possibly another road), several rectangles of various sizes, and a circular feature. Of note, the position of one of the rectangles is likely the remnants of the blacksmith shop indicated on a historic map of the shipyard. These findings confirm significant cultural resources and suggest the exact location of historically reported activities such as shipbuilding and pre-Loyalist agricultural use of the dykelands.

In 2011, a project designed to bridge the gap between archaeologists and artifact collectors demonstrated that objects removed from the shores of the Lake Rossignol Reservoir, and other waterways impacted by the hydro-dams, could still contribute to the archaeological record of southwest Nova Scotia. Respectful engagement with local collectors enabled the context of more than 1,300 artifacts, from 23 collections, to be documented and preserved in an annotated photographic database.

Reaching out to collaborate with the collector-community through this simple, low-cost project, offered insight into the motivations of different collectors and helped reconcile past affronts by heritage professionals. It also provided an opportunity to share archaeological knowledge about these artifacts and talk with collectors about the importance of detailed recording and managing the cultural values of heritage sites.

Fostering honest and collaborative relations in the communities where archaeologists work, as researchers and consultants, is important for “social license to operate”. Furthermore, it remains urgent to record the time-sensitive knowledge of collectors before memories fade, leaving the significance of their collections forever mute.