Ottawa Chapter - The Assessment and Rescue of Archaeological Legacy: A National Capital Commission Initiative

Speaker: Ian Badgley, Manager, Archaeology Program, National Capital Commission

Topic: The Assessment and Rescue of Archaeological Legacy: A National Capital Commission Initiative

The erosion of ancient shorelines on coasts and inland lakes and rivers due to sea level rise and more frequent and severe flooding caused by climatic change has been characterized as a global crises in archaeology. The National Capital Region is no exception, with many of its shorelines sites undergoing severe damage because of annual high water levels. In response to the catastrophic spring flood of 2017, the National Capital Commission launched the Assessment and Rescue of Archaeological Legacy (ARAL) project in 2018, a multi-year initiative designed to address the erosion of archaeological resources in the region. Following a summary of the region’s rich archaeological heritage, the results of ARAL’s first year of work are presented, along with suggested measures to mitigate the impacts of erosion on these resources.

Ian obtained a Master’s degree in Anthropology, University of Toronto, with specialization in Arctic Archaeology, in 1974. Over the years he has worked for several universities, the Nunavik Inuit cultural institute and as a consultant. In 2009 he was hired as the archaeologist of the National Capital Commission. His main role in this position is to ensure that the Commission’s decisions and recommendations with regard to development projects on federal lands in the Capital Region are in compliance with Government of Canada policies and regulations for the protection of archaeological resources.

Ian is also responsible for managing NCC outreach activities in archaeology. These include annual public digs and the Protocol for the Co-management of Archaeological Resources between the NCC, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.