Unearthing the past - archaeological dig open to public again this summer

Kathy Morash can still remember the weather on July 10, 2008 - cold, windy and rainy.
She remembers the day's weather because she spent it outdoors, digging through dirt during an archaeological dig in Beaubassin.
"If somebody wants an authentic archaeological experience, I absolutely would recommend the dig," said Morash after hearing Parks Canada is again holding the Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence Public Archaeology Experience.
"It's great for history buffs and those interested in their heritage."
Last summer, Morash's friend, Jan Purdy, called to say the pair should participate in the dig.
"I never would have done it, but then she called. I thought it would be interesting, and I thought it would be something that I would like to do," Morash said.
Meeting the Parks Canada representatives at Fort BeausÉjour, the participants were given a history lesson of Beaubassin before moving onto Fort Lawrence for the dig.
"The site wasn't modified for the layman person. You were expected to dig just as any archaeologist would dig and they supervised you closely. There was no horsing around," she said.
While some participants expected to find pieces of ceramics in tact, Morash said she knew that wouldn't be the case after hearing the history.
"It really was quite moving because I wasn't as familiar with the history as I should have been," she admitted.
"When you realize where you are and you realize what happened there, it does move you. What surprised me the most was that there was a whole village under my feet and I didn't really know it."
Having participated in the dig for the past two years, Gwen Kerr is hoping she'll get a spot in this year's experience.
"My sister was visiting during the first year they had the dig and she studied archaeology in university," Kerr said of Beth Caskie. "We saw it in the paper and it was her idea to actually participate. She had participated in digs during her university training but I hadn't."
Given a dustpan, mason's trowel, brush and knee pad, participants searched for anything they could find in the earth.
"It wasn't what we had expected originally - everything that was found was in tiny fragments because it had been destroyed," Morash said, adding the only thing she found was a bit of charcoal left over from a fire.
Others found pieces of pipes, nails, pottery and a foundation, she said.
"The most interesting piece was a tiny piece of pipe because it had the maker's mark on it. Parks Canada was really excited about it because they could trace back to who made it and when it was made."
For Kerr and her sister, participating in the last two years was historical for them.
"It used to be an Acadian settlement and after the Acadians were forced to leave there were the Yorkshire Settlers. We're descendents of the Yorkshire group through the Chapman line," Kerr said.
She also said some of the participants themselves were Acadian, and they were excited about the opportunity to be there.
This year's Public Archaeology Experience will take place on four weekends, from July 23 to Aug. 16, starting two weeks later than last year's to coincide with the CongrÈs mondial acadien.
Those wishing to participate in this year's dig can contact Fort BeausÉjour-Fort Cumberland National Historic Site of Canada staff at (506) 364-5080.
Spaces fill up fast, said Kerr.
"It's a really interesting day and if you're really lucky, you get some nice weather," she said with a laugh.
"For me, it's the thrill of the discovery. It may only be something small but it feels good to find something. It feels like you're digging for treasure."