Trying on an archaeologists hat

BOYD'S COVE - New World Island Academy really dig the Beothuk Interpretation Centre.

The Grade 5 class enjoyed a day of being informed about a part of their past and also taking part in an archeological dig on May 26.

Tim Rast and Lori White are both archeologist who were at the Centre to help demonstrate a dig.

Mr. Rast is also a flintknapper. A flintknapper is someone who makes stone tools. He runs a business called Elfshot where he makes reproductions of artifacts and jewelry based on archeological artifacts from Newfoundland and Labrador. He attended the first dig at the Centre to show the kids how an archeologist preserves their findings and why they do things slowly and carefully.

"The sandbox dig gives kids the opportunity to try on the archeologist's hat for a morning and show them how classroom skills like writing, drawing, math and measuring can be used in the real world," said Mr. Rast. "Their imaginations, patience and powers of observation are given a workout as they learn how archaeologists carefully record what they find in the ground and also how delicate and irreplaceable a archeological site is."

Karen LeDrew-Day is the museum technician at the Centre. She said the archaeological dig was something they wanted to start years ago but couldn't because of certain restrictions, so they had to put it on the back burner.

"We finally got the boxes made last year, but the season for the site was over then," said Ms. LeDrew-Day. "The program wasn't available to us until now."

The students had an exciting day at the site. They all learned different things and took away a different perspective of the Beothuk people and the work that archeologist does.

Shavonne Brown is a student that attended the dig. She really enjoyed it when Ms. LeDrew-Day told them information on the site, and if they didn't get it she would try to explain it more.

"The thing I enjoyed was when we got to dig for things and when we got to see the monument of the Beothucks," said Shavonne.

Grade 5 student Nicholas Fifield said he enjoyed the trip because they got to do the mock dig.

"I understand now how they do the dig," said Nicholas. "I understand more now that I actually got to take part in the dig so when I go outside on the beach I plan to do the dig to find some sea glass or shells."

Students Kassidy Saunders and Kaitlyn Hawkins said they would like to be archaeologists.

"What I liked most about the Beothuk Centre was when we did the mock dig. It showed us how to dig, and even taught us to be gentle. The archaeologist was very nice and I learned a lot from him," Kassidy said. "I would like to be an archaeologist because I love to dig and love the past."

Kaitlyn added, "I enjoyed the Beothuk Centre. The fact that the archaeologist let us dig and do the kind of thing they do everyday was really fun, I liked being a pre-archaeologist.

"I would love to be an archaeologist when I grow up because I think that finding things from the past is awesome."

Mr. Rast said that this was his first sandbox dig because the program is brand new.

"I think the kids really enjoyed it and they were a very good class to work with," he said. "I am grateful to everyone at the Interpretation Centre for inviting me out to help launch the program and I am certain that the staff at the centre will do a fantastic job at delivering the program in the future."

Ms. LeDrew-Day said not only did the kids get a lot from the day, but also the Centres staff and herself.

"We got another appreciation for a level of history we talked about down in Boyd's Cove and until you're in the field you don't really understand it," said Ms. LeDrew-Day. "It gave us an added appreciation because it is so time consuming and tidiest work. Because of Mr. Rast and Ms. Whites expertise we now know the guidelines and we can pass it on to the schools."

For more information about the dig or to book field trips call Ms. LeDrew-Day at the Beothuk Interpretation Centre at 656-3114.