In the early 2000s, a vast archaeological project was conducted in Market Square, revealing centuries of material history that offer a glimpse into everyday life of the past through broken treasures and items once lost.
Kingston's City Hall and Market Square have been a Designated National Historic Site since 1961. The site's historical and architectural significance prompted archaeological investigations prior to the Market Square Revitalization Project. This project and surrounding redevelopments would have affected the underground deposits of the Square, which led to several excavations completed by the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation (CARF) between 2002 and 2007.
This collection of bottles from Market Square was selected based on their variety of materials, uses, and forms. In looking at the features and archaeological contexts of each bottle, as well as the group as a whole, we can begin to understand the diverse functions of the Square over time and its primary role in daily life. For example, some of the bottles you will encounter reflect the changing elements of the site following major historical events, such as the fires of 1840 and 1865.
As you go through the exhibit, note how the specific features of each bottle are influenced by the historical context of various technological developments and sociocultural trends, as well as how they compare to present day bottles. The stories told by these artifacts are as rich as the soil they were buried beneath...
