Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 7

Archaeological Explorations at Signal Hill, Newfoundland, 1965-1966

by Edward B. Jelks

Abstract

Archaeological investigations were carried out during 1965 and 1966 at three areas in Signal Hill National Historic Park, St. John's, Newfoundland, to determine what remained of the military installations that formerly occupied the hill. These areas included the Queen's Battery, Lady's Lookout and the area where a new Interpretation Centre was to be constructed. Significant finds were made primarily in the first two areas.

Structural remains found were typical of buildings of the first half of the 19th century, although these structures had had to be accommodated to the topography of the hill. Artifacts included clay pipes, buttons, bottle and ceramic fragments, and military insignia and accoutrements.

The structural and artifact data are presented descriptively as a sample of British colonial materials dating from 1800 to 1860.