The Museum of Ontario Archaeology is a non-profit research centre and resource for studies in Ontario Archaeology. The museum houses over 2.5 million artifacts for analysis and maintains a public gallery for the interpretation of the 11,000 year occupation of southwestern Ontario. Adjacent to the museum is the Lawson Provincial Heritage and Archaeological Dig Site. Identified as an area occupied around 1475 - 1500 AD by approximately 2000 Neutral Iroquoians, the excavated portion of this semi-permanent village consists of a reconstructed palisade, maze, earthworks and two longhouses. The site was strategically situated for defensive purposes and access to fresh water, plants, fish, wild game and other natural resources necessary to the traditional life ways of Ontario's early inhabitants. Located within London's city limits, beside Medway Heritage Valley, this rich ecological environment and historically significant area transports you to 15th century Ontario.

Enjoy your visit!

GENERAL TOUR

The 11,000 Year Occupation of Southwestern Ontario - museum interpreters take students on a tour of the gallery. Students explore how the changes in climate and environment affected the culture and technology of the native people.  Weather permitting, the students will have a chance to tour the Lawson Site and visit the reconstructed village.

CORE PROGRAMS

Core Program Tours cover the same information presented in the General Tour but go more in-depth to meet specific targets of the Ontario Curriculum.

ARCHAEOLOGY ONTARIO

Uncover the mysteries of archaeology! Discover the history of the Great Lakes people through the eyes of an archaeologist. Reveal hands-on what artifacts can tell us about the people living in Ontario prior to European contact. Explore our gallery and village to discover 12,000 years of history.

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 2
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Traditions and Celebrations

Grade 3
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Early Settlements in Upper Canada

Grade 4
Science and Technology – Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals

Grade 5
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Early Civilizations

Grade 6
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: First Nation People and Early Explorers 

Grade 9
Native Studies – Expressing Aboriginal Cultures

Grade 10
Native Studies – Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

Grade 11
General Social Science - Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology

Grade 12
Canada: History, Identity and Culture - Communities: Local, National, Global, Aboriginal Peoples

ABORIGINAL ONTARIO 

Discover the lives and traditions of the Native Peoples of Ontario by piecing together their past lives through the
hands-on examination of the tools they left behind and discovering the changes that have occurred throughout Ontario's
human occupation. Explore our gallery and village to discover 12,000 years of history of the Great Lakes People.

Curriculum Connections:

 Grade 2
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Traditions and Celebrations

Grade 3
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Early Settlements in Upper Canada

Grade 5
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Early Civilizations

Grade 6
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: First Nation People and Early Explorers 

Grade 7
History – New France, British North America, Conflict and Change

Grade 8
History – Canada: Changing Society

Grade 9
Native Studies – Expressing Aboriginal Cultures

Grade 10
Native Studies – Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

Grade 11
General Social Science - Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology
World Religions – World Religions: Beliefs, Issues and Religious Traditions
World Religions – Beliefs and Daily Life

Grade 12
Canada: History, Identity and Culture - Communities: Local, National, Global, Aboriginal Peoples

EARLY CIVILIZATIONS: ONTARIO AND THE WORLD

A guided tour combined with an examination of artifacts from the area will help students understand the social, economic, political and spiritual practices of the Neutral Nation, with a special focus on comparisons with other civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Central and South America, etc.  In good weather, this program also includes a tour of the Lawson Iroquoian Village.

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 6
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: First Nation People and Early Explorers 

Grade 5 
Heritage and Citizenship: Early Civilizations

Grade 9
Native Studies – Expressing Aboriginal Cultures

Grade 10
Native Studies – Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

Grade 11
Social Science and Humanities - World Religions: Beliefs, Issues, and Religious Traditions

Grade 11
Social Science and Humanities - World Religions: Beliefs and Daily Life

Grade 11
Canadian and World Studies - World History to the Sixteenth Century

Grade 12
Canadian and World Studies - Adventures in World History

Grade 10-12
Classical Studies  and International Languages - Classical Languages

Grade 12
Classical Studies and International Languages - Classical Civilization


ARCHAEOLOGIST FOR A DAY

Elementary School Program

Interpreters begin this program with a tour of the gallery and Lawson Site. Students spend the remainder of the morning learning archeological techniques and basic terminology involved before they complete a simulated excavation. The archaeological work continues with students processing and cataloguing their artifacts. 

Curriculum Connections:

 Grade 3
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Early Settlements in Upper Canada

Grade 4
Science and Technology – Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals

Grade 5
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: Early Civilizations

Grade 6
Social Studies – Heritage and Citizenship: First Nation People and Early Explorers 

Secondary School Program

The program begins with a 90-minute introduction to the site, the practice of archaeology and First Nations people of southwestern Ontario. The remainder of the time will be spent on the Lawson site, which dates to 1450 AD, conducting an actual excavation, as well as washing and cataloguing the artifacts. 

Curriculum Connections:

 Grade 9
Native Studies – Expressing Aboriginal Cultures

Grade 10
Native Studies – Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
Career Studies – Exploration of Opportunities

Grade 11
General Social Science - Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology

Grade 12
Canada: History, Identity and Culture - Communities: Local, National, Global, Aboriginal Peoples

Life in a Longhouse

This hands-on program will explore the everyday life of the 16th century Attawandaron who lived in the Lawson Village. Students will learn about and prepare traditional foods, such as three sisters soup and bannock, play traditional games, and more!

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 1 through 8
Visual Arts - Production of three-dimensional works
Grade 3
Social Studies - Heritage and Citizenship: Early Settlements in Upper Canada
Grade 4
Canada and World Connections: Grade 4 - Canada's Provinces, Territories, and Regions
Grade 5
Social Studies - Heritage and Citizenship: Early Civilizations
Grade 6
Social Studies - Heritage and Citizenship: First Nations People and Early Explorers
Grade 7
History - New France, British North America, Conflict and Change
Grade 8
History - Canada: Changing Society
Grade 9
Native Studies - Expressing Aboriginal Cultures
Grade 10
Native Studies - Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
Career Studies - Exploration of Opportunities
Grade 11
General Social Science - Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology
World Religions - Beliefs and Daily Life
Canadian and World Studies - World History to the Sixteenth Century
Grade 12
Canadian and World Studies - Adventures in World History
Canada: History, Identity and Culture - Communities: Local, National, Global, Aboriginal Peoples


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Programs are available year round. The Lawson Prehistoric Village is open from May to December (weather permitting).

Please request bookings at least two weeks before your preferred date. Tours and programs are booked on a first come, first served basis. Museum staff will try to satisfy requests -- but note that some dates fill quickly.

The Museum requires ample supervision for all programs. We suggest a minimum ratio of one adult for every 10 students. Adults helping the group will be admitted free (at a ratio of 1:10).

Programs can be booked for less than 10 people, but a minimum charge of 10 will be applied.

We reserve the right to charge a $10 fee if two days' notification of cancellation is not given. We allow cameras in the gallery, but flashes may not be used as some artifacts are light sensitive.

All prices include GST. Payment should be made at the time of your visit with cheques payable to: Museum of Ontario Archaeology

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information or to book please call (519) 473-1360, or e-mail the Museum at museum.of.archaeology@uwo.ca

 

The Museum of Ontario Archeology gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.