| Newfoundland's archaeological digs offer a unique | | | | After Lord Baltimore's move, Sir David Kirke took over |
| glimpse into the interesting history of this island | | | | the settlement. Later, the Dutch landed and destroyed |
| province. There are more than 4300 archaeological | | | | the town. Today, archaeologists have uncovered a |
| sites in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lanse aux | | | | large number of artifacts at the site. |
| Meadows is one of the province's best-known tourist | | | | Visitors may get as close as 10 feet from the dig and |
| attractions. | | | | watch the exploration in progress. Tourists can receive |
| Lanse aux Meadows, on the northernmost tip of the | | | | an interpretation of the structures not yet uncovered |
| island, is the only known Viking site in North America. In | | | | at the site. They can also visit the on-site archaeology |
| 1960, the Norwegian explorer, Helge Ingstad, and his | | | | laboratory. The most impressive finds, including rare |
| wife, Anne Stine Ingstad, an archaeologist, discovered | | | | Beothuck artifacts, are on display in a nearby visitor |
| the site. In 1978, L'Anse aux Meadows was declared a | | | | centre. |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site. | | | | Discoveries at Red Bay, a Labrador inlet, focus on the |
| The discovery proved that Vikings reached North | | | | story of Basque whalers who were in the area |
| America around 1000 CE - 500 years before | | | | between 1530 and 1600. These whalers from France |
| Columbus. Leif Eriksson may have also been at this | | | | and Spain processed whale meat and blubber out of |
| settlement. The site includes reconstruction of three | | | | Red Bay. A Memorial University team has led |
| Norse buildings. The exhibits highlight the Viking lifestyle, | | | | excavations at this location. They have discovered the |
| artifacts, and the archaeological discovery of the site. | | | | shipwreck of the San Juan that sank in Red Bay in |
| In addition to the European settlement, evidence of at | | | | 1565. |
| least five or six separate native occupations has | | | | The Deer Lake Beach site, excavated in the 1990s by |
| been identified at L'Anse aux Meadows. The oldest | | | | David Reader, includes two communal buildings |
| occupation has been dated about 6,000 years ago | | | | connected to the island's native people - the Beothuks. |
| and the most prominent was by the Dorset people | | | | A site at Back Harbour on Twillingate Island is the burial |
| who predated the Norse by about 200 years. | | | | ground of a pre-Beothuk culture. This burial ground |
| The Colony of Avalon archaeological dig at Ferryland | | | | was discovered in 1963. The first find unearthed 34 |
| (about 70 km south of St John's, open mid-June to | | | | stone artifacts. Some of these historical items are |
| mid-October) explores the settlement of Sir George | | | | displayed at the Twillingate Museum. |
| Calvert, who later became Lord Baltimore. His wife, | | | | Archaeological buffs can always find comfortable and |
| Lady Baltimore, was the first Canadian woman | | | | affordable accommodations near the various digs. |
| entrepreneur. In the early 1600s, Calvert established a | | | | Guests have their choice of staying in hotels, bed and |
| colony in Ferryland. | | | | breakfasts, cottages, or cabins. Newfoundland |
| Yet after a couple of cold winters and other hardship, | | | | cottages and hotels are known for their excellent |
| he decided to seek a warmer climate in Maryland. | | | | facilities and friendly service. |