June at ASI!
Presenting a monthly roundup of all the stories, photos and projects that got us excited this month. Can you believe that the year is half over? June has found us celebrating good weather, hitting important work milestones, and National Indigenous Peoples Day! Julia Herbst and Carolyn Kennedy from Texas A&M University have been studying […]
Inspired by Yayoi Kusama: A Roundup of Polka Dot Artifacts
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror exhibit has taken Toronto by storm, with long lines forming every morning in the hopes of getting into explore her unique, interactive installations. Now 89, Kusama is an artist well worth celebrating. She has been producing intense, semi-abstract artwork that feature circles and dots since she was a child. Known as […]
Your Back Will Thank You: Improving the Ergonomics of Fieldwork
Field archaeology is a very physical job that is hard on the body. In particular, digging and screening can contribute to repetitive strain injuries in the back, legs and most often the wrists. We may never be able to keep our field archaeologists completely free from injury, but we can certainly make our work places […]
The Hamilton Glass Works
This pretty aqua soda water bottle was much admired when it came into the lab for washing, since it was completely intact except for a small nick along the top edge of the “blob” style finish. The artifact had an extra surprise underneath; the base is embossed with the manufacturer “Hamilton Glass Works.” Once we […]
Nuit Blanche 2017
This Saturday, September 30th is Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, when the whole city is filled with art exhibits that are open from dusk to dawn! Nuit Blanche is a great opportunity to see some of our city’s museums and cultural hubs in a new light. We put together a few recommendations for spots to visit: The Broadview Hotel, […]
Historical Recipe Project: Raspberry Shrub
As part of our historical recipe project, our Assistant Manager of Communications Caitlin Coleman brought in raspberry shrub, a fruit and vinegar syrup that is used to make refreshing beverages! Since we were sampling this recipe before a long weekend, we decided to try our hand at cocktails, and used the raspberry shrub to make some simple gin […]
Field Season Starts Today
It’s our favourite time of the year! The ground is finally unfrozen and mostly dry, so Ontario’s archaeology season has officially begun. Unusually, we have had small crews out doing survey work in April because we had a such a warm spring. But as of May 1st we have a full retinue of crews, and the […]
Historical Recipe Project: Sweet Macaroni Pudding
As part of our historical recipe project, our Lab Manager Alexis Dunlop brought in sweet macaroni pudding! The transition of pasta from a sweet to uniquely savoury ingredient provides a fascinating insight into how our tastes and expectations have changed over time. [line] In Anne Yentsch’s article Applying Concepts from Historical Archaeology to New England’s Nineteenth-Century […]
Historical Recipe Project: Scottish (Canadian) Oatcakes
As part of our new historical recipe project, our Managing Partner Rob MacDonald brought in his signature Scottish Oatcakes! He has a personal connection to these delicious treats, and he also delved into the fascinating history of the oatcake below. [line] Oats (Avena sativa), a cereal grain which was domesticated in the Fertile Crescent area of the Near […]
“Toronto Underfoot” Underway at the ROM!
Dr. Williamson was invited to share his thoughts on Toronto’s archaeological past for the ROM’s new exhibit “Toronto Underfoot”, opening on October 11th, 2014. We spent the afternoon in the depths of the museum’s North American collections while a film crew rolled on… [line] The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is getting ready to launch a […]
