Exploring the concept of «taskscape» and living landscapes in archaeology: a case study of the French fishing room Champ Paya

Summary

Anthropologist Tim Ingold has introduced the concept of taskscape as an aspect of the cultural landscape. The taskscape is created by people working; it is the living environment in which tasks happen. This paper explores the application of this concept using Champ Paya, a French migratory fishing room, as a case study. Taskscape analysis of the cultural and natural features (e.g. fishing stage, cobble beach, bread oven, cabins, cross and crucifixes, but also forest, stream and hill) allows us to understand the activities taking place at Champ Paya, in addition to learning about the use of resources. The features of the taskscape can be interpreted in relation to each other to understand how fishermen wove together the distinct maritime cultural landscape of Newfoundland’s Petit Nord. Interpretation of this complex web of activities enables us to understand the adaptations of French fishermen over 300 years of seasonal occupations.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014   •
• The French Migratory Fishery and the Maritime Cultural Landscape of Newfoundland’s Petit Nord

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-22,03