Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 12
Lime Preparation at 18th-Century Louisbourg
by Charles S. Lindsay
Preface
Eighteenth-century methods of lime preparation were researched after
excavation in 1968 of a double-kiln complex in the faubourg or
suburb outside the fortress of Louisbourg because the structure
presented a number of unexplained features. The first section of this
paper deals with 18th-century kilns, limeburning practices and the
slaking of burnt lime in France. The major part of the paper is
concerned with the excavation of the double-kiln complex in the
faubourg, and the remainder considers lime preparation at
Louisbourg in general.1
Preliminary historical research prior to excavation was carried out
by Linda Hoad, to whom much of the credit should also go for suggesting
further sources of information. The photographs and drawings are the
work of the graphics unit. Over-all supervision was by Bruce Fry, then
Senior Archaeologist at Louisbourg. To all these people much gratitude
is due.
Where measurements given in the text are from 18th-century French
sources the contemporary system of pieds (1.006 ft.) and
pouces (1.066 in.) is retained. All other measurements are given
in feet.
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