Unique chapter of Quebec history being lost at Cap-Rouge, archeologists warn

Archeologists say they need toresume excavating a parcel of land at the mouth of the Cap-Rouge River, in Quebec City, so that they can stave off the destructionof centuries-old treasures already found there.

The Cartier-Roberval site is where French colonists made their first attempt to settlein North America and where a fortified village founded by Jacques Cartier in 1541once stood.

Discovered in Quebec City's Cap-Rouge area over a decade ago, the site was only partially excavated between 2006 and 2008, before archeologists had to abandon it when they could no longer fund the dig.

Now, experts say they are witnessing an entire chapter of Quebec and Canadian history disappear before their eyes.

"It's not only a rare site, butit's a unique site," said Richard Fiset, the archeologist who led theprevious dig at thesite alongsidehis colleague, Gilles Samson.

"There is no other site dating back to this period. If we lose the information contained [there], that's knowledge that will be lost forever," Fiset said.

Dig carried out over 336 square metres

Archeologists excavated 336 square metres at the site between 2006 and 2008,but the area was larger than expected, with fortifications discovered above and below a raised parcel of land near the water.

They believe 80 per cent of what could be excavated in the arearemains underground, in what is now a wooded area in the Cap-Rouge nautical park.

If we lose the information contained[there], that's knowledge that will be lost forever.- Richard Fiset, lead archeologist

In 2008, the archeologists had to close the site because funding dried up with Quebec City celebrating its 400th anniversary that same year.

The Commission de la capitalenationaledu Qubec, a semi-public body that was created by the National Assemblyin 1995 to help develop, promote and encourage people to discoverthe Quebec City area, says it's still studying the project.

Whilearcheologists have asked to resume their work at the site, the financial backing they need has still not been secured.

Acidity of the soil, animals pose a risk, experts say

When they were forced to abandon the dig, they covered the overturned soil with wooden structures and sheeting, a preventative measure that was meant to protect the artifacts for about five years.

Now, nine years later, the archeologists say they'reworried the artifacts will suffer irreversible damage.

At the request of the archeological team, experts on soil content and preservation specialists came to examine the area.

They reported that high levels of acidity in the soil had destroyed all the organic material that had not yet been carbonizedand continueto deteriorate any metal objects in the ground there.

During the previousdig, from 2006 to 2008, archeologists discoveredcrossbow bolts, currency, and other metal objects at the site. Many of them were already inpoor condition.

In a report presented to the Commission in February, experts also pointed to another problem: rodents have been coming to the abandoned dig site, causing damage to the protective structures and destroying some of the artifacts.

Batrice Carrier, a biologist and master's student at Universit Laval, said groundhogs have been using the site to hibernate.

Every fall, the animals look for places where they can burrow 1.5 metres below ground, so "for a groundhog an archeological site [like the one in Cap-Rouge] is perfect," she said.

Chipmunks, mice and voles, another small rodent, have also been using the site to build their nests and storefood.

Carrier said the animalsbroke some of the protective structures, and caused mushrooms and moisture to accumulate on the wood.