Google Cultural Institute - online resource

you might find this an interesting place to explore
http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/home

Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World ROM

The Royal Ontario Museum is the sole Canadian venue to host Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World during its international tour. June 22 until Jan. 5, 2014

July 11 Chapter meeting presentation: Dr. Jerry Melbye: Archaeology of the Kleinberg Ossuary

July 11 Dr. Jerry Melbye: Archaeology of the Kleinberg Ossuary

Huronia Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society is delighted that University of Toronto Professor Jerry Melbye, Ph. D, will give a talk about the archaeology of the Kleinberg Ossuary at our July chapter meeting.

Dr. Melbye is a Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Science and Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Anthropology.

This is a site of the southern Hurons near Kleinberg, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Melbye's website can be found at  http://individual.utoronto.ca/jerrymelbye/

To view some interesting images associated with the Klienberg ossuary at his website see:  http://individual.utoronto.ca/jerrymelbye/gallery/gallery5/index.html

Thursday July 11th, 2013 7:00 pm
Huronia Museum 549 Little Lake Park Road. Midland, Ontario.  705.526.2844
http://www.oashuroniachapter.com/

OAS Peterborough Chapter presentation on connection to Uncle Tom's Cabin

On June 25, 2013 the Peterborough Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society presents 

The Struggle for Race and Freedom in Ontario: An Archaeological Perspective by Dena Doroszenko of the Ontario Heritage Trust 

see http://www.mykawartha.com/what's%20on/article/1626944--peterborough-s-connection-to-uncle-tom-s-cabin-character

old lenses gain new life

RECYCLING SUGGESTION FOR OLD MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA LENSES

If you happen to still have in a drawer somewhere some old lenses for film cameras, especially any old macro lenses of good quality, I have a suggestion how to recycle them into the new digital age. Macro lenses being the cat's meow when doing archaeological photography such as glass beads and in my case recently, gar fish scales.

Now it's true that various cameras can use these old lenses. but recently something a little better.  I have been using an adapter on my Sony NEX F3 camera to mount old manual focus Contax/Yashica mout lenses. It has a feature that is remarkably useful, helpful and quite elegant. 

Once you frame your shot, you can press a button to temporarily zoom in to your image to fine tune your manual focusing, there are in fact two levels of peaking zoom. Once you continue depressing the shutter, your full image returns and you can take the shot. This feature is outstanding. Adds just a moment to the taking of a shot and the results are perfect.

The camera uses aperture priority and you get a perfectly exposed shot. 

One slightly sneaky detail.  You need to change one of the camera's default settings to make this magic occur.  You look under menu/setup and change "release shutter without lens" to enabled.  Oddly worded but it is the setting you need to change for success.

My adapter came thru amazon.ca and cost just $29. There is a large number of adapters for the various lenses from various manufacturers.

I imagine all the NEX cameras have this feature. The F3 is entry level and can be purchased for $400-450. Shop around. I got mine thru a special sale item from Staples.

It is very satisfying to be able to use effectively those fine old, high quality optics from film photography days.

Canadian Student at New Mexico site

"we don't have anything like this in Ontario."

see http://cnjonline.com/2013/06/13/blackwater-draw-site-hosts-archaeology-students/

400 year old skeleton and a $5000 bill

Toronto Star article - Sarnia - 400 year old skeleton found in backyard

"Under Ontario’s Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, property owners are responsible for the costs of an archeological assessment if human remains are found on their land."

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/06/15/400yearold_skeleton_of_aboriginal_woman_found_in_sarnia_backyard_costs_couple_5000.html

Council Rock - history etched in stone.

Members Meeting -  June 13th 2013 - Huronia Museum - 7 PM

Presentation by Jamie Hunter, Huronia Museum

Council Rock - history etched in stone. - archaeological artifact or historical document?

Meeting Details: Meeting held at Huronia Museum at 7 pm, presentation open to the public, chapter business meeting follows the presentation.

The Huronia chapter welcomes the staff and students from Laurentian University's field school currently taking place in Huronia to this evening's meeting. They will be taking a tour of the Wendat village and the museum starting at 5:30PM followed by Pizza courtesy of the chapter. Please feel free to join them for the tour and Pizza followed by our regular meeting at 7PM.

 Huronia Museum 549 Little Lake Park Road. Midland, Ontario.  705.526.2844

http://www.oashuroniachapter.com/

This is also a good time to renew your membership if you have not already done so.

Dr Marti Latta revisits the Beeton site

Dr. Marti Latta of the U of T (retired) at the invitation of some local residence attended the Beeton library on Saturday morning and presented her findings on the Beeton site that she worked on in the 60s and 70s. The Beeton site is a Iroquoian site that appears to date circa 1550 whose descendants most likely migrated to Huronia. There were 25 to 30 people in attendance and interest was expressed in the formation of an OAS chapter for south Simcoe.

Dr Latta at Huronia chapter  meeting.

Huronia chapter PA day

Dr Alicia Hawkins of Laurentian U has one again agreed to work with the our chapter in hosting a public archaeology day in Huronia August 17th-18th. Circle the date on your calendar if you are interested and stay tuned for further information and pre registration details.