Archaeological Materials from the BIRS Site

-Ashley Austin

The summer field season for our team consists of much geo-physical survey methods

throughout different areas of Brandon Residential School site. However, before such surveying

can begin, a site must be prepped and cleaned up. Part of this clean-up process consists of

clearing the area of fallen tree branches, cutting the grass, and metal detecting the area to remove

any metal that may interfere with the geo-physical surveys, such as the Ground Penetrating

Rader (GPR) and Electromagnetic (EM) surveys. During this clean-up process, our team

discovered many buckets and metal objects near the surface of the ground, but also a number of

deeper readings in one concentrated area noted by the metal detector.

Marking off the trench area

A permit was be obtained from the Province’s Historic Research Branch (HRB) to dig 1 x 1-meter units, as well as some smaller test units, to remove the metal material beneath. This concentrated area was called

Trench A, as it was an already partially dug out area that was likely once used as a root cellar and

then eventually a garbage pit. A total of five units or “clusters” were dug out next to each other

and each varied in depth depending on the material removed. Cluster D, which was the first unit

dug to the depth of 100 centimeters (cm), revealed a large metal pipe, a metal hand crank, many

pieces of fragmented rusted metal from cans and buckets, as well as a collection of ceramic plate

and cup pieces, enamel cookware, and plastic toys. Some of the material showed signs of

burning and melting, which provided further evidence that this area was used to burn garbage.

Team members removing the grass

The material collected from this area tells a story of the Brandon Residential School. The

many buckets collected from this area would have been used to collect water and feed the

livestock at the school. The ceramic pieces of plate ware and cups likely belonged to the staff or

principal, and the enamel cookware used in the kitchens. Other material at this site, such as an

American penny from the year 1942 help to date the use of this area, as well as a collection of

broken glass mason jars and sealers indicate that this area was likely used to store food supplies.

Be sure to check back soon for a future post of photographed material from this area!

Trench A, East View