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POINTE-A-LA-CROIX - People have been able to learn more about the excavations and the history of the long-gone Acadian village of Petite-Rochelle during talks which took place last week.

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Excavations in July found traces of the lost Acadian village of Petite-Rochelle.

La Societe Historique Machault held three three separate events between Aug. 14 to 16 on the history of Petite-Rochelle and what has been learned from the archealogical digs that were conducted on the site where the village is believed to have stood.

During the first two meetings, the rooms were full, and the third was able to attract some thirty people at the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site. Michel Goudreau, vice president of the Society explained that the public has expressed great interest in this story.

"I would say that interest is mainly from people who live in the region, and people who have Acadian roots, but not exclusively. There are also people who are interested in history as such, because it is a story still quite exciting."

The events were also an opportunity to learn of future projects or other projects underway. These include a documentary on Petite-Rochelle and Acadian privateers and pirates announced last January. Filming is already underway, with the participation of Tele-Quebec, and the Society hopes to hold the premiere in November or December. The documentary will include interviews with historians.

Achaeological excavations

In July, archaeologist Jean-Yves Pintal and two technicians carried out the first phase of archaeological excavations to determine the location of the Acadian village, burned in 1760 during the Battle of the Restigouche. The village is believed to have stood to the east of what is now Pointe-a-la-Croix.

"The Society has received a preliminary report which is very encouraging. The report tells us that ultimately there is a great potential for research in the area of Battery Point and a little east, "says Goudreau.

This becomes very important for the second phase. "It may help us to get funding from the government for phase two of the study."

The excavations have led to more than Acadian artifacts, however. Goudreau said that some are of American or British origin. More discussions should take place before further research.

"There are still protocols to be followed in these cases, especially on a Mi'gmaq site. Found were broken arrows and small beads of trade from the trade between whites and Mi'qmaqs from the very beginning of colonization, so that means we will have discussions with Listuguj," said Goudreau.

The Society also wants to involve the community in the excavations, similar to what is already going on at Beaubassin. Under the supervision of an archaeologist, people would receive the rudiments of research and put in a hand.

"The idea is to involve the public in history, so that people can take an active part and help us to learn more about history. There are several ways to do so, and they could possibly take part in archaeological research. There are others too. Currently, we are soliciting people who are doing genealogy, and stories of families, who are able to help us precisely locate the descendants of these people,"said Goudreau.

A final report should be given to the Society in October.