The Basques in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1530-1760: An archaeological overview

Summary

Research on the Basques in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has often focused on 16th-century whaling in the Strait of Belle Isle. However a fuller look at the historical and archaeological data shows a presence that extended without interruption to the 18th century, covered a much larger area, and included cod fishing and trading. It also shows regional differences that developed during the 17th century, allowing us to distinguish French and Spanish Basque sites and material culture. Archaeologists have investigated more than 20 Basque sites and archives mention nearly a hundred. We have identified four periods of Basque presence in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, based on differences in activity, regional focus and the geographic origin of the Basques. For each period, a representative site illustrates differences over time and in space: Red Bay, L’’Anse-à-la-Cave, Petit-Mécatina and Pabos

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Archaeology of Basque Fisheries throughout the Atlantic, a Reappraisal   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-16,01