The Early Acadian Period in Nova Scotia 1605 - 1755 The founding of Port Royal in 1605 marked the beginning of permanent French settlement in the region the French called Acadia. By 1750 about 10,000 Acadians had developed a prosperous agricultural economy by dyking and farming the tidal marshes around the Bay of Fundy. The colonial power struggle between France and England was coming to a climax. Between 1755 and 1763, British authorites enforced a deportation order. This traumatic event became known as the Expulsion. Many Acadians later returned to Nova Scotia. In 1983, archaeologists excavated an Acadian cellar at Belleisle, Nova Scotia. Based on the archaeological evidence gathered during the dig and historical research, Nova Scotia Museum artist Azor Vienneau created several paintings depicting early Acadian life. Follow the links below to learn more about each activity shown in the drawings. Repairing a Dyke Saltmarsh Haying Building a Home Trading

| Archaeology Home | Contents | NS Museum Home | © 1996-2003 Nova Scotia Museum