Archaeological Research Associates Ltd.

Name: Archaeological Research Associates Ltd.
Address: 205 Cannon Street E, Hamilton, ON, L8P2A9, CA
Telephone: +15198042291

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Archaeological Research Associates Ltd.

ARA is Ontario’s oldest archaeological and heritage consulting firm, uncovering Ontario's history

BILL C5 https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0418

04/17/2026

ARA Associate, William (Bill) Fox, has received the Order of Canada from Governor General Mary Simon for his lifetime of work in Ontario archaeology!

Bill’s long career in public service and education means he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of this province’s history. He served as a leader for the Ontario Archaeological Society and even in retirement he continues to share his wisdom with fellow archaeologists.

Bill is top of our list to contact when we’re trying to figure out a projectile point or unknown chert type. His work to promote Indigenous voices in provincial spaces started early and continues to this day. It’s a joy to see someone who has dedicated his life to archaeology be formally recognized for his work. Congrats, Bill!

11/14/2025

We’re celebrating the start of a BIG project! Last month, ARA staff kicked off the process of transferring collections to the repository at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology .

While ARA does its best to preserve collections by using archival materials and museum-level organization and tracking methods, there is no question that as CRM has developed into the industry we see today, the rate of collections growth has multiplied. With collections dating back to the company’s beginning – 1972 – keeping everything in house is not sustainable or responsible.

Under the current licencing structure, individual archaeologists are responsible for preserving everything recovered on sites they oversee and are required to hold these in trust for the people of Ontario. Unfortunately, without set standards of care or access, the preservation of artifacts and their associated documentation is often taken for granted or shifted to a lower priority once a project is complete. This has led to a well documented “Collections Crisis” in Ontario.

To mitigate the loss of archaeological collections and their data, the Museum of Ontario Archaeology provides a space equipped to preserve artifacts and associated documentation using specific and sustainable collections management policies. Centralizing collections in repositories such as this also helps descendant communities and researchers access collections which otherwise might be tucked away in office basements or rented storage.

While repatriation/rematriation is the preferred option for Indigenous belongings, the MOA has partnered with communities to create standards for care and access, as well as ensure the respect of cultural belongings is upheld.

ARA is delighted to be starting out on this partnership with the MOA!

Our Lab Manager would also like to give a big thank you to Field Technician Abel Land and Equipment Manager Ceilidh Shipley for taking care of the heavy lifting!

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10/10/2025

For this we have the pleasure of highlighting a long-time employee’s career development. Amanda started with us over a decade ago and has continuously displayed her passion for archaeology - both in the field and lab. In that time, she has progressed from Field Technician to Senior Field Technician, making the leap to Project Archaeologist this year. Moving into leadership roles can be daunting, we ask a lot of our supervisors, and some of the best are cautious to take it on. Although the demands of the job are substantial, Amanda has demonstrated an ability to use her knowledge and sound reasoning to consistently achieve high standards. With her extensive experience as a Field Technician she is primed to identify with the needs of the crew, which goes a long way to maintaining morale on those long, rigorous field days. Her experience in the lab is invaluable for training up new staff. She loves to add some whimsy and fun to site, from getting “back to school” balloons for our student staff members, and handing out a series of fun pens for site documentation. Amanda, thanks for the years of service and we look forward to seeing what you can do in the future!

09/23/2025

After being closed to the public since 2017, the Mohawk Institute building will have their Official Unveiling on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025.

During the closure, ARA embarked on a volunteer project to provide archaeological services in support of the Save the Evidence campaign.

In partnership with the Woodland Cultural Centre, Mohawk Village Memorial Park, and Ontario Archaeological Society, the volunteer project spanned 3 field seasons, from 2017-2019.

The project pulled together volunteers from Six Nations of the Grand River, the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Woodland Cultural Centre, Ontario Archaeological Society, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and the wider Brantford community.

As part of the re-opening, a new book titled Behind the Bricks: The Life and Times of the Mohawk Institute, Canada’s Longest-Running Residential School will be officially launched.

Tara Froman from the Woodland Cultural Centre and ARA’s Paul Racher and Sarah Clarke collaborated to contribute the chapter, ‘Collecting the Evidence: Archaeology and Restoration at the Mohawk Institute’

In addition to being available for purchase, the book is also available to read online. You can access this by searching the title on ucp.manifoldapp.org/read

08/29/2025

Every summer we get to work with students from many fields of study - archaeology and beyond. Sadly, that means come September we have to say goodbye to many of our crew as they return to school. ARA wishes you all the best returning to your studies, and we hope to see you all next spring!

P.S. that means that ARA is hiring for the fall! It’s a fact that September is the BEST time to dig - cool days, minimal bugs, and exploring the beautiful scenery across Ontario. What’s not to love?

Apply directly to [email protected], or visit www.araheritage.ca/careers/ to find out more.

08/25/2025

We are proud to announce that Brampton’s first Archaeological Management Plan was
endorsed by Council on June 25!

ARA was the consultant for this project, but the BRAMP (as it’s named) is the product of extensive input and collaboration from and with First Nations and Indigenous communities and City staff.

The goal of the BRAMP, from the outset, was to ensure a practical and effective municipal
framework for the identification, protection and management of archaeological resources
that is transparent, robust, and aligned with the acknowledgement of Indigenous rights and authority over their own cultural heritage. Brampton has a formalized commitment to honour The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth
and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and every effort was made to realize that commitment
in the BRAMP’s creation.

At our core, ARA takes the obligation to meaningfully participate in reconciliation and
partnership with Indigenous peoples seriously, as do Brampton’s elected representatives
and staff. Tanya Hill-Montour, Archaeological Supervisor for Six Nations of the Grand River
(SNGR), generously took time to attend the final BRAMP presentation to Council. She not
only expressed SNGR’s approval of the BRAMP, but went further to state that Brampton has set the standard they expect all Ontario municipalities to meet. This sentiment has been echoed by Adam LaForme, Manager of Archaeology, Department of Consultation and Accommodation, of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

It has been ARA’s privilege to assist Brampton in creating a plan that does not just benefit
their own city, but the broader mission of archaeological resource protection and First
Nations and Indigenous community engagement for all of Ontario.

08/21/2025

With fall on the horizon, for some of our staff it’s back to school time. ARA is once again reaching out to our community to let you all know that we are hiring!!

Field Technicians and Project Archaeologists (R License required) in the Hamilton region, please connect with us directly. We are happy to answer your questions and see if ARA will be a great fit for you! Positions are being filled immediately!

Apply directly to [email protected], or visit www.araheritage.ca/careers/ to find out more details.

08/15/2025

We are back with another , and this time we are celebrating a bit of a local legend onsite, Jerry!

Jerry joined ARA close to 13 years ago and has been a mainstay in the field ever since. His guidance over the years with mentoring fellow technicians has been invaluable. He brings as much joy and compassion to work on a daily basis as he does coffee – it’s a lot!
The man is as steady as it gets, and it’s no wonder every person who experiences working with Jerry, is eager to be on his crew again.

If you’re ever looking to say hi to Jerry, he won’t be too hard to find – he’s either digging, in a line at Tim Hortons, or playing a key role in the yearly Pow Wow.

Thanks Jerry, for being one in a million.

07/14/2025

Between the heat and the smoky air we need a mood boost this Monday, so we're sharing this dino date photo of an away-job crew that decided to go see the new Jurassic World!

It's true archaeologists cringe when they get the question "so you dig dinosaurs?," but I think we can all admit that, although that's not what we do, dino's are still awesome! 🦕

05/30/2025

May’s is an English gunflint excavated last week on an early 19th century site along Georgian Bay!
Flintlock firearm technology developed in the early 1600s and relies on striking flint against an iron frizzen to spark and ignite a powder charge.
The English gunflint industry boomed in the late 1700s, extensively quarrying local materials (especially Brandon flint), and replacing the use of French gunflints.
English gunflints are typically dark grey-black in colour, with a more sharply defined prismatic shape. In contrast, French gunflints are often “D” shaped and made of honey-coloured material. The size and shape of a gunflint can help determine the type of firearm that it was used for – a pistol, rifle, or musket.
Flintlock fi****ms remained in use throughout the 19th century, when they were largely replaced by more reliable percussion cap and cartridge-based technology. However, some flintlock fi****ms continue to be made for modern replicas and black powder hobbyists!

Address

205 Cannon Street E
Hamilton, ON
L8P2A9

Telephone

+15198042291

Website

http://araheritage.ca/

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