Volume 1

The Archaeology of Patterson Village

The first volume in the Our Lands Speak series

Author William (Bill) Finlayson takes this simplistic definition, yet extraordinarily complicated field of study, and gives us a fascinating look into a piece of local Ontario history. Through the meticulously documented and analyzed “objects dug up from the ground,” we learn how the people of Patterson Village worked and socialized. Dr. Finlayson’s wonderfully descriptive prose, illustrations, and pictures, transport us back in time to the mid-1800s where we have a front-row seat to the lives of the people of Patterson Village.

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Volume 2

The Archaeology of Five Queensville Farmsteads

The second volume in the Our Lands Speak series

William (Bill) Finlayson once again brings the past to life. This time, it is through the lives of the generations of people who settled in Queensville, Ontario. The Archaeology of Five Queensville Farmsteads – a 19th Century Crossroads Community in the Township of East Gwillimbury, Ontario  affords us a glimpse into what life was like for the master builders of the Sharon Temple, a unique architectural structure in Canada. We learn how they, their families, and many others who built the community and made it their home, lived.

 

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Volume 3

The Archaeology of Two Whitchurch-Stouffville Farmsteads

The third volume in the Our Lands Speak series

In volume 3, The Archaeology of Two Whitchurch-Stouffville Farmsteads, he shares that in the second half of the 19th century, John Yake Sr., a prominent Stouffville businessman, purchased two parts of Lot 32, Concession 10, in what is now the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. John Yake Sr. rented the small house at the western end of the lot, which eventually became the Yake site. John Yake Jr. lived on the western part of the lot, initially in the large house which became the Windmill site, and ultimately in a new brick house which was still occupied at the time of our excavations.

 

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Occasional Papers in Archaeology No. 1

Early Palaeo-Indian Occupation in the Rice Lake, Otonabee River, and South Kawartha Lakes Watersheds, South-Central Ontario-Research Since 1976

Our Lands Speak – Occasional Papers in Archaeology No. 1

Our Lands Speak Occasional Papers in Ontario Archaeology is a superior quality publication series issued on subjects in and affecting Ontario archaeology. The goal of the series is to create additional space to disseminate information about Ontario’s rich archaeological history, including both historic and prehistoric archaeological investigations, as well as important First Nations perspectives. Another objective of this series is to make use of current advances in publication technologies. The print versions of the Occasional Papers include high quality colour illustrations, which few North American journals or monograph series currently offer.

 

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“It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Finlayson on this project. His knowledge and passion for his work has truly brought Patterson Village to life. We look forward to collaborating on future Our Lands Speak volumes.”

– Sheri Andrunyk, Publisher, Insightful Communications (I C) Publishing

“Bill, thank you so much for sending me a copy of your book, The Archaeology of Patterson Village . . . I have found it to be a fascinating read, a window into an earlier era. I never realized how much detail could be gleaned from the building foundations, artifacts, and soil deposits. They certainly speak volumes. I had fun looking at all the glass and china and pottery pieces, as I actually own a few similar pieces or remember seeing such items in use  or on show in my lifetime . . . Kudos to you for publishing this book. Well done.”

– Marilee Asher, Guelph, ON

 

“With a career that spans more than 50 years, Bill has made many significant contributions to Ontario archaeology and this volume is no exception…I am confident the reader will enjoy this book immensely.”

– John Triggs, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University

“It is not often that a book with archaeology in its title will appeal to a broad audience, but that is exactly what Dr. William Finlayson has achieved with The Archaeology of Patterson Village. It seamlessly explores the interfaces among local history, 19th century technological innovation, social change, and the scholarly augmentation of knowledge resulting from an archaeological dig on a grand scale . . . The unearthing of Patterson Village is important to our understanding of how we lived and how we got to here . . .”

– Dave Shepherd, Retired High School Teacher, and former employee of This Land Archeology Inc., ON