Archaeology in Saskatchewan

rdf:langString Archaeology in Saskatchewan

rdf:langString Archaeology in Saskatchewan, Canada, is supported by professional and amateur interest, privately funded and not-for-profit organizations, and governmental and citizen co-operation with the primary incentive to encourage archaeological awareness and interest in the heritage that defines the province to this date. The landscape of Saskatchewan hosts substantial prehistoric (pre-contact; before 1690 C.E.) and historic (after the start of European exploration; after 1690 C.E.) sites. The majority of the information on Saskatchewan's archaeological history has been compiled into the publication in celebration of the province's centennial in 2005. It was implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport (formerly the Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation) of the Government of Saskatchewan and involves the collaboration of the Saskatchewan Association of Professional Archaeologists (SAPA). The project was funded by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, Golder Associates, SaskPower, Stantec Consulting Ltd., and Western Heritage Files inducted into the project are currently managed by the Saskatchewan Heritage Branch. According to this publication, human life in Saskatchewan dates back 12,000 years and, as of 2005, there were more than 20,000 officially recognized archaeological sites in Saskatchewan. Although Saskatchewan joined Confederation in 1905, its archaeological roots clearly precede and proceed its legal foundation. The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan affirms that in Saskatchewan today "field archaeology is controlled by the provincial government, requiring pre-development assessments. The result is that most of the field work in archaeology now is done by consultants, whose activities are regulated by the government."