The Algonquian rock art of the Canadian Maritimes comprises a rich corpus of petroglyphs that contributes to our current understandings of Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik cultural life in the past. Significantly, some of the petroglyphs document the Indigenous perspective of colonial contact, the impact of that contact and the adaptations made; critically, the petroglyphs also demonstrate the persistence of an enduring Indigenous cultural memory.

Building on a programme of survey and conservation initiatives undertaken during the 1970s-80s, a comparative analysis of the technical, iconographic and narrative content of the petroglyphs aligns the corpus with both the pre-and postcontact rock art traditions of neighbouring Algonquian-speaking peoples in the Northeast. Ongoing analysis using computational photography, principally Highlight Reflectance Transformation Imaging and photogrammetry, have revealed the existence of previously unrecorded imagery, provided details relating to petroglyph manufacture techniques, and aided the identification of superimposition sequences in some palimpsest panels.

Acknowledging Mike’s interest in the archaeology of small-scale industries in Atlantic Canada, this paper explores the evidence for early industry at the colony of Avalon in Ferryland, Newfoundland between 1621 and 1629. Established by Sir George Calvert, this English settlement’s economic lifeblood was grounded in the cod fishery; however, the first years also saw attempts at other industries including timber extraction, mineral exploration and assaying for precious metals, slate quarrying, salt making, and hemp and flax cultivation. At the same time, the growing colony required infrastructure for the small-scale production of dietary staples such as bread and beer. Structural hardware, tools, and fishing implements were also made on-site at the colony’s forge, operated by two blacksmiths. Some of these fledgling industries proved unfeasible or unnecessary beyond the first few years of settlement, whereas others continued until ca. 1640 when Ferryland’s new proprietor Sir David Kirke altered the colony’s operations.     

Dr. Deal’s interests are diverse, and he embraces new ideas in archaeological research. He is the first archaeology professor at Memorial University to supervise a project in the intertidal zone. Rising sea levels are responsible for the loss of ancient coastal sites world wide and the Beaches (DeAk-01) multicomponent site is suffering this fate. The site preserves evidence of six prehistoric cultures including the Maritime Archaic, who were the first inhabitants on the Island of Newfoundland. A gravel terrace marks the remains of the site and earlier excavations demonstrated that peat separated anthropogenic strata. One peat deposit capped an exclusively Maritime Archaic anthropogenic horizon one to two metres below the surface of the terrace. Four core samples were extracted, and fourteen test pits were dug in the intertidal zone to reconstruct the site when the Maritime Archaic were present, and to reassess the peat stratum that previous researchers discovered. An additional peat stratum was revealed 3.82 metres below sea level (BSL). This paper is a summary of our research at the Beaches site, in Bonavista Bay. 

Michael Deal has made many notable contributions to the discourse and discipline of archaeology in Canada's Atlantic Provinces. In Nova Scotia, those contributions, diverse and many, make distinct and significant contributions to the Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia's work to have their rights and title recognized and to revive, promote and protect a healthy Mi'kmaw identity.  This paper will recognize some of those specific contributions that Michael Deal's work has made as a field archaeologist, a palaeoethnobotanical researcher and as a teacher.   As the Senior Archaeologist for the Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiations Office of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs, the author, a former graduate student of Deal's, enjoys a unique opportunity to appreciate and build on those contributions. This paper will highlight Deal's leadership as well as his continued scholarship and collegiality as an important figure for archaeologists and Mi'kmaq in the region.