Wendat Tribe Resists Genetic Examination of Bones from Battle of Plains of Abraham Engagement

In the heart of Quebec City, archaeological excavations are underway on Rue Caron and Rue Saint-Anselme, where a series of intriguing discoveries have been made.

The remains of 35 skeletons, unearthed on Rue Saint-Anselme, have been a subject of interest due to their unique dental features. These skeletons possess shovel-shaped incisors, a characteristic typically associated with Native Americans, although not exclusive to them. However, the origin of these remains remains uncertain, as DNA analysis has yet to be conducted.

The presence of these shovel-shaped teeth is a key element in the preliminary report by Gaia firm. Yet, dentition alone is not sufficient to determine the biological affiliation of the individuals found in Rue Saint-Anselme, according to a specialist in the study of burials and human remains.

The type of injuries on these exhumed skeletons suggests open-field combat, which is inconsistent with the small-war tactics practiced by Native Americans of the time. This inconsistency has led some experts to question whether these remains indeed belong to Native Americans.

The Grand Chief Pierre Picard stated that the presumed indigenous remains do not necessarily belong to the ancestors of the Wendats. Meanwhile, the Wendat nation intends to contact other First Nations that may be affected by these burials and agree on a consensual way to rebury and commemorate the death of their ancestors.

On Rue Caron, an archaeologist is on site to supervise the excavation work. Gérard Gagné, a local historian, suggests that the quadrilateral delimited by Caron, Saint-Anselme, and Commissioner East Streets deserves a major excavation, given the potential historical significance of the discoveries.

The remains found at the edge of the current cemetery of the Quebec General Hospital were initially attributed to British soldiers, but were later changed following a laboratory examination. The hypothesis that these human remains belong to indigenous warriors who fought alongside the French army during the battles of the Plains of Abraham and Sainte-Foy has been proposed, but is not universally accepted.

Bioanthropologist Robert Larocque is among those who find this hypothesis unconvincing. He emphasises the importance of thorough examination and analysis before drawing definitive conclusions.

Isabelle Ribot, a bioarchaeologist, notes that writings from colonial archives often overlooked the Native presence. This oversight has led to a lack of historical records that could provide valuable context to the current discoveries.

As the excavations continue and further analysis is conducted, the true identity of these remains may finally be revealed, shedding light on a significant chapter in Quebec City's history.

Wendat Tribe Resists Genetic Examination of Bones from Battle of Plains of Abraham Engagement