Repairing a Dyke
This poster depicts the maintenance of a typical saltmarsh dyke by a group of Acadian farmers in the early 1700s. Details of the painting are closely based on both archaeological and historical evidence. This scene was painted by Nova Scotia Museum artist Azor Vienneau for use in the production of an educational film series on pre-expulsion Acadian life, Premières terres acadiennes.
Take a closer lookWhere is the ocean? Is the tide in or out in this picture? Why are so many people working on this project? Why were the dykes so important? What materials do you think this dyke was made from? Look at the little doorway in the dyke; what is it there for? What was the ditch used for? The men are digging sods from only one side of the dyke. Why? Why might the dyke need fixing at this particular spot? |
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