18th century Acadian village a rare find

P.E.I. archeologists are starting to dig at an excavation site in Low Point, near Lennox Island, where they hope to unearth an Acadian village from the 1700s.

Preliminary work began at the site last year. Archeologists discovered the foundation of a home, a stone oven with ashes still in it, and pieces of pottery.

Provincial archeologist Helen Kristmanson, who is leading the dig, said the discovery provides an unusual opportunity.

"We don't know a lot about Acadian sites, archeologically. Acadian sites are notoriously difficult to find," Kristmanson said.

"So this is quite a rare find and it's going to shed light on an area of history in Prince Edward Island for which we don't have a lot of archeological information."

Georges Arsenault has a dual interest in the project. He is an Island historian and a descendant of the Acadians who settled in the area.

"What's being done this year will help to understand the type of life that the people had at the time: how they lived, what they ate," Arsenault said.

"It's always exciting, this type of research."

The archeologists began their more comprehensive excavation of the area Tuesday.