ROADMAP TO SASKATCHEWAN'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY REVEALED

A new resource to explore Saskatchewan's archaeological history has been developed to celebrate the province's centennial year. A detailed, digital elevation map plots the 20,000 known archaeological sites in Saskatchewan, from the pictographs in the Churchill River's Thunderbird Bay to the Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel.

"As we celebrate our centennial year, it is important that we remember people have lived on this land for many centuries," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "This map will be a wonderful resource for people to use when exploring our province and its rich archaeological history."

The map discusses the archaeology of various regions of Saskatchewan and provides a timeline of human life in the province over the last 12,000 years. Illustrations of artifacts and photos of archaeological excavations and important sites have been included along with a list of sites and museums open to the public.

"The map highlights the richness of Saskatchewan heritage. We want to encourage the public to discover the history of Saskatchewan by visiting the public heritage sites on the map," Saskatchewan Association of Professional Archaeologists president Kristin Enns-Kavanagh said.

Over 3,000 free copies of the map will be distributed to schools across Saskatchewan, with copies available for sale to the general public at the Regina Chapters bookstore, the Book and Brier Patch, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Tourism Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society. Copies are $2.50 each.

The map was developed by the Saskatchewan Association of Professional Archaeologists and Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Recreation. Funding came from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation and donations from several businesses, including Golder Associates, SaskPower, Stantec Consulting Ltd. and Western Heritage Services Inc.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967