This Archaeology Month, we invite you to take part in our public archaeological digs. Help us recover artifacts at Leamy Lake Park and learn more about the pre-contact (before the arrival of Europeans) history of the region. Members of the NCC Archaeology Program (Monica Maika and Bob Clark) will supervise the digs.
Leamy Lake Park contains the largest complex of pre-contact archaeological sites currently known in the Ottawa River drainage basin. Used continuously for more than 6,000 years by Indigenous groups, the main occupation dates back to 1,000 to 2,000 years ago.
Philippe Lake is significant in Indigenous history. In 2023, a new archaeological site was identified near Philippe Lake, revealing evidence of Indigenous presence dating back at least 900 years. The artifacts recovered there were predominantly made of quartz, which is an uncommon feature on NCC lands, where most artifacts are typically fashioned from chert.
The artifact collections recovered from these sites provide important information about Indigenous history in the National Capital Region.
Cost
Free (admission and activity)
August 2026
Dig dates are indicated in dark on the calendar.
This year, digs were held at Philippe Lake from August 4 to 8, and are currently ongoing at Leamy Lake. There are two time slots every day: 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm. Each time slot is limited to 50 participants.
Registrations for the Leamy Lake digs are now full. We will do our best to accommodate a small number of walk-ins. Please check in with NCC staff upon arrival.
Please note that there will be no registration for the Philippe Lake digs, and will instead operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 3 | 4* | 5* | 6* | 7* | 8* |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 |
Getting there
At Leamy Lake
The dig site is located on the Ottawa River waterfront in Leamy Lake Park. In all cases, you will need to walk a little to get there (rough terrain to the dig site; the beach can be rocky).
- Public Transit: Bus stops near the Voyageurs Pathway. Use STO’s travel planner for your route.
- By foot or by bike: Accessible from Leamy Lake multi-use pathway.
- By car: Parking lots close at 5:30 pm daily. Carpooling is recommended.
- Primary parking lot: Former Gatineau Boom parking lot, 80 Fournier Boulevard, Gatineau, Quebec (15–20 minute walk; space is limited)
- Alternate parking lot: Leamy Lake Beach parking lot (20–30 minute walk)
What to bring
- Water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Hat
- Long pants
- Gloves
- Closed-toe shoes with good treads
- Knee pads or gardening pad (optional)
- Lunch (spend the day with us!)
More information
For families: Simulated archaeological dig for children under 10 available. Children must be supervised at all times.
Weather advisory: Public digs may be cancelled in case of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or excessive heat. Check this page for updates.