Stewardship
Program
Stewards work alongside qualified professional archaeologists following guidelines set out by the Ministry of Culture in the Ontario Heritage Act.
A steward should have experience in archaeology and participated in and used archaeological methods, techniques, standards, and guidelines. Other factors contributing to experience include past or current participation in educational programs, involvement in the archaeological community of Ontario, involvement in archaeological projects, written reports, records and publications in archaeology, courses or training in archaeology, and a variety of other contributions to archaeology.
A steward needs to understand the necessity for high standards of ethical and professional conduct in regard to archaeological resources and archaeological field and laboratory standards. They must subscribe to the highest ethical standards in the conduct of archaeology and in regard to the archaeological resources.
Stewards need to work under the supervision of qualified professional archaeologists when undertaking field projects. Stewards can not conduct archaeological excavations though they may participate in excavations under the supervision of qualified professional archaeologists.
Landowner permission must be obtained for surveys. Site locations are kept confidential from the general public. This is to respect owner privacy, prevent trespass, and protect archaeological and geological resources from looters and vandals.
Site Stewardship
Site stewardship is a developed plan to provide guidance and suggestions to agricultural landowners with archaeological sites and geologic landforms on their property. The preservation, protection, and interpretation of archaeological sites and geologic formations depend on the participation and support of agricultural landowners.
The archaeological site is physical evidence of past human activity where people once lived and supported themselves from the land and water within Haldimand County. These archaeological sites are consisting of small hunting camps, quarry sites, and fishing sites found scattered throughout the County. Geologic formations are limestone bedrock and chert outcrops exposed as a result of soil erosion and cultivation practices.
Most archaeological sites and geologic formations are discovered through surface surveys by walking over open and forested land, and sometimes excavating a specific area using scientific methods. Archaeological sites and geologic formations in Haldimand County are on privately owned cultivated land and can be preserved and protected with the support of agricultural landowners. Archaeological sites and geologic formations are an irreplaceable part of Haldimand County's heritage.
“Giving the past a future”