Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 2

An Archaeological Study of Clay Pipes from the King's Bastion, Fortress of Louisbourg

by Iain C. Walker

Abstract

The clay pipes studied came from tightly controlled excavation areas, certain casemates in the right flank and right face of the King's Bastion, Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. An examination of the pipe material, in conjunction with the archaeological and historical evidence, indicated that one casemate had deposits datable to about 1700-1749/50; 1749/50 to 1755; and 1755 to 1760, while three others had material datable to 1720-about 1732. Thus a valuable key is provided for the dating of the same material in other, less well-dated, sites on both sides of the Atlantic.

The pipe material included a large amount of Dutch material which evidence suggests was connected with the purely French occupation. English pipes were used both by the French and British, however. A number of hitherto unrecorded or unpublished Dutch and English maker's marks were found and where possible, these marks and their users were identified and dated.