Dig in Russell's Point, 1994-1997

John Guy in his journal of October 1612 describes finding a Beothuk camp consisting of three houses near a great fresh water lake, about a mile from any part of a harbour. Henry Crout's diary describes the same Beothuk camp. From the descriptions it was clear that the lake was Dildo Pond located about one mile south of Dildo Arm. In the spring of 1988 a survey of Dildo Pond was conducted by William Gilbert and Ken Reynolds and, after two weeks of testing, a previously unknown Beothuk site was found on a low lying grassy point of land on the western side of the lake about 2.4 km (1 2 miles) from the bottom of Dildo Arm.

John Guy and his colonists made a number of attempts to trade with the Beothuk in this area, both by land and by sea. The Crout's Way Trail is a reconstruction of the route that the colonists used to connect Blaketown and Cupids.

Between 1994 and 1997 the BTHC archaeological crew conducted excavations at Russell's Point, as the site came to be known. During that time 23 major features were uncovered, mapped and photographed and 1226 artifacts recovered.

Although there is not a museum on the site, artifacts can be viewed at the South Dildo Museum and the Dildo and Area Interpretation Centre.

Beothuk Arrowheads found at Russell's Point

The Baccalieu Trail Tourism Association has published a booklet about their work over the past 10 years, including their work in Cupids. William Gilbert, the chief archeologist, is the author of the full colour, illustrated booklet entitled: "Journeys Through Time; Ten Years of Archaeology on the Baccalieu Trail."

The booklet is available for purchase at the Cupids Museum Office, the Dildo and Area Interpretation Centre, and The Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation Office in Carbonear. (Proceeds from sales go into projects aimed at increasing knowledge of the history and culture of the Baccalieu Trail.)

The cover of the booklet is illustrated at the left.