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Governing New France from the Château Saint-Louis

The Saint-Louis forts and chateaux site: archaeology in the heart of New France

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Pages 106-124 | Published online: 19 Jul 2013
 

Abstract

The first of four forts called Fort Saint-Louis was built by Champlain in 1620. Since 1975 archaeological fieldwork has been undertaken in the forts, which housed the residence of the governors of New France, and in the governor's gardens. From 2005 to 2007 Parks Canada excavated 1,500m2 of the Saint-Louis forts and chateaux, unearthing the chateaux's foundations and large sections of the fortifications. The excavations showed that the chateaux rested on Champlain's dwelling, confirming the significance of this spot, and that the defences were adapted to the topography. The artefacts reflect the site's residential and governance roles.

The first of four forts called Fort Saint-Louis was built by Champlain in 1620. Since 1975 archaeological fieldwork has been undertaken in the forts, which housed the residence of the governors of New France, and in the governor's gardens. From 2005 to 2007 Parks Canada excavated 1,500m2 of the Saint-Louis forts and chateaux, unearthing the chateaux's foundations and large sections of the fortifications. The excavations showed that the chateaux rested on Champlain's dwelling, confirming the significance of this spot, and that the defences were adapted to the topography. The artefacts reflect the site's residential and governance roles.

Le premier des quatre forts appelés Fort Saint-Louis a été construit par Champlain en 1620. Depuis 1975, des fouilles archéologiques ont été menées dans les forts qui ont abrité la résidence des gouverneurs de la Nouvelle-France et dans les jardins du gouverneur. De 2005 à 2007, Parcs Canada a fouillé 1 500 m2 des forts Saint-Louis et des châteaux, mettant au jour les fondations des châteaux et de larges sections des fortifications. Les fouilles ont montré que les châteaux reposaient sur le logis de Champlain, confirmant l'importance de ce lieu, et que les défenses étaient adaptées à la topographie. Les artefacts reflètent les rôles résidentiel et de gouvernance du site.

Das erste der vier Forts mit dem Namen Fort Saint Louis wurde von Champlain 1620 errichtet. Seit 1975 wurden archäologische Grabungen in den Forts durchgeführt, die auch die Residenz des Gouverneurs von Neufrankreich und seine Gärten einschlossen. Von 2005-07 grub Parcs Canada 1500 m2 in den Forts und dem Schloß aus und förderten die Fundamente des Schlosses und große Teile der Befestigungsanlage zutage. Die Ausgrabungen zeigten, daß das Schloß auf dem Gebäude Champlains errichtet wurden, es bestätigt damit die Bedeutung des Ortes und daß die Verteidigungsanlagen der Topographie angepaßt waren. Die Artefakte der Grabung spiegeln den Wohn- und die Regierungsrolle der Anlage wieder.

Il primo delle quattro fortezze chiamati Fort Saint-Louis fu costruita da Champlain nel 1620. Fin dal 1975 sono state condotte ricerche archeologiche in queste strutture fortificate che ospitavano la residenza dei governatori della Nuova Francia, e nei giardini dei governatori. Fra il 2005 e il 2007 Parcs Canada ha scavato 1.500m2 nelle fortezze e nei castelli di Saint-Louis, portando alla luce le fondamenta dei castelli e un largo tratto delle fortificazioni. Gli scavi mostrano che i castelli insistevano sulla dimora di Champlain, confermando il significato di quest'area, e che le strutture difensive si adattavano alla topografia. I manufatti riflettono il ruolo residenziale e di potere del sito.

El primero de los cuatro fuertes llamado Fort Saint-Louis fue construido por Champlain en 1620. Desde 1975 se han llevado a cabo diversas investigaciones arqueológicas en los fuertes, donde se hallaba la residencia de los gobernadores de Nueva Francia, y en los jardines del gobernador. Entre 2005 y 2007 Parcs Canada excavó 1,500m2 de los fuertes y castillos de Saint-Louis descubriendo los cimientos del castillo junto con largas secciones de las fortificaciones. Las excavaciones demuestran que el castillo se fundó sobre la casa de Champlain, confirmando la importancia de este emplazamiento, y que las defensas se adaptaron a la topografía. Los materiales encontrados reflejan la función residencial y de gobierno que tuvo el yacimiento.

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