fleur de lys archaeological project
2000 field summary
The 2000 Fleur de Lys Archaeological project   commenced June 1st  with the continuation of our survey and testing work on the northern portion of the Baie Verte Peninsula. This survey program resulted in the discovery of two new Palaeoeskimo sites; namely, Cow Cove 3 (EaBa-16) and French Island Tickle (EaBa-19), and four historic sites, Callahan’s Point (EaBa-17); Fitzgerald Garden (EaBa-18); French Island Tickle (EaBa-19); and Quiet Cove (EaBa-20). Additional testing was conducted at the previously reported sites of Fleur de Lys 2 (EaBa-2) and Barry’s Cove (EaBa-4). 

During the month of July, we returned to the town of Coachman's Cove to excavate Cow Cove 1 (EaBa-14), a Groswater Palaeoeskimo site that we discovered during our 1999 survey. Excavation of approximately 10% of  this site  has confirmed a Groswater Palaeoeskimo cultural affiliation. Although it was previously surmised that a second prehistoric culture, possibly Recent Indian may also have occupied this site, no direct evidence was produced to support this presumption. 

 Newly Discovered Palaeoeskimo Sites on the Baie Verte Peninsula

Archaeological testing in the town of Coachman's Cove resulted in the discovery of  Cow Cove 3 (EaBa-16), a Dorset Palaeoeskimo site. This site is situated on an ancient beach ridge just below the Groswater occupation at Cow Cove 1 (EaBa-14).  The recovery of artifacts such as microblades, bifacially-flaked knives, a large flaked and ground rhyolite scraper and a triangular shaped tip-fluted endblade, attests to a Dorset Palaeoeskimo occupation of this site.

French Island Tickle (EaBa-19) was discovered on French Island in the Town of Coachman's Cove. Shovel testing indicates that this is a multi-component site, containing evidence for both Palaeoeskimo and French occupations. The recovery of chert thumbnail scrapers, microblades, bifacially-worked knives, quartz crystals, and hundreds of small brightly colored jasper and chert flakes are indicative of the Palaeoeskimo tradition. Future excavation of this site will likely determine the cultural affiliation of the prehistoric occupation. 
The historic component of French Island (EaBa-19) is attributed to an 18th and 19th century French occupation on the basis of the recovery of temporally and culturally diagnostic artifacts, including Normandy stoneware, a flaked gunflint, and tobacco pipe fragments.

Groswater Hearth
The main feature uncovered at the Cow Cove 1 (EaBa-14) excavation in Coachman's Cove was a box-shaped hearth feature that contains a mass of fire broken rock and charcoal remains from the fire that it once held.

 Conclusions

In conclusion, the 2000 field season has broadened our knowledge of both the history and prehistory of this region through the discovery of three new Palaeoeskimo occupations, and the recognition of the French Shore through archaeological remains at two sites.  However, as in 1999, no direct links could be made between any of the newly discovered Palaeoeskimo sites and the soapstone quarry in Fleur de Lys. The absence of soapstone on any of the newly discovered Palaeoeskimo sites in this region, may well be significant in relation to the seasonality of occupation and the use of local resources by these prehistoric inhabitants. 

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