School visits
Elementary Cycle 2
Elementary Cycle 3

Archaeo-Adventure

90 min. with multimedia show
60 people max.
Archaeo-Adventure
Photo: Marc-Antoine Zoueki

Young archaeologists, dig into Montréal’s past!

In our Archaeo-Adventure workshop, students will learn about Montréal’s history just as archaeologists do: by digging it up! They’ll unearth the past in a unique interactive space set up to resemble an urban dig site and an archaeology laboratory.

What will they find in this part of Old Montréal? Can they coax the artifacts they unearth to “speak”? It’s a fascinating introduction to archaeology and a very hands-on way to explore traces of the past!

Students will also get to experience Generations MTL, presented in a room equipped with a 270º screen. Archaeological remains come to life, a countdown begins, centuries roll by… Suddenly, an island appears, and then, a city. A captivating and memorable immersive experience!

What will the students do during the workshop?

  • As a team, they will conduct a dig on a site actually studied by archaeologists.
  • Use real archaeologists’ tools and apply the scientific method in archaeology.
  • Unearth various objects and identify them in the laboratory, by comparing them with real historic artifacts.
  • Match the objects with different periods of occupation of the site.
  • Share their findings with the group.

Concepts covered during the workshop

  • Archaeological practice: archaeology, artifacts, ecofacts, remains, scientific method, digs, stratigraphy, periods of occupation, ways of life, materials (bone, stone, pottery, metal, glass).
  • Ways of life over several centuries of history: cultural phenomena: daily life and lifestyles (diet, entertainment, and customs).

Competencies developed

The activities in this workshop are in line with the aims of the Quebec and Ontario elementary and secondary education programs.

They are also in line with a guidance-oriented approach allowing students to learn about archaeology as a career, in a workshop/exhibition that recreates the main working conditions.

The activities help develop the following subject-specific competencies:

Quebec

Geography, History, and Citizenship Education

  • Societies studied:

    • The Iroquoians (1100-1600) – Cycle 2
    • French society in New France (French period - 1600-1760) – Cycle 2
    • Canadian society in New France (English period - 1760-1867) – Cycle 3

  • Understand the organization of a society in its territory:

    • Situate the society and its territory in space and time.

In Ontario

Social Studies

  • Heritage and identity: the beginnings of Canada (Native communities and Europeans, cultural heritage)
    • Describe various aspects of economic life and social organization in New France.

Social Studies

  • Heritage and identity: the Canadian experience, yesterday and today (development of communities in Canada: First Nations, the French, the British)
    • Use a process of investigation to explore the experience of at least two communities;
    • Analyze the physical, social, and cultural characteristics of these communities.

History

  • The Conquest and the transition to the English regime (1713-1800); conflicts and challenges in Canada (1800-1850)
    • Use a process of investigation to explore the transition from the French regime to the English regime.

Our experienced interpreter-guides can adapt the tour to students’ ages and interests, making this a rich and varied learning experience.

Information and reservation

Tell us about your needs

Please fill out our online form and we will contact you shortly to complete your reservation.


For any assistance:
[email protected]
514 872-9127

Please note that we cannot guarantee a booking request made less than 4 weeks in advance.

Hours and rates of visits and group activities

September 2023 to April 2024
Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm

May-June 2024
Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm
+ Mondays, December 18, 2023, June 10 and 17, 2024

Rates in effect as of September 1, 2023

Elementary Students$10.00
Secondary Students$11.00
Accompanying Adults (1 for 15 students)Free
Additional Accompanying Adult$15
3rd or additional adult$18
Role of accompanying adults

Divide the group into smaller sub-groups according to the number of groups specified on your reservation. The number of groups required corresponds to the number of accompanying adults required during the visit.

Follow the group at all times to maintain discipline and manage particular cases. The mediator or guide will lead the visit. Accompanying adults must stay with and supervise the group during lunch time.

One-day package

Add an interpreted tour or a workshop and enjoy a full day at Pointe-à-Callière:

Elementary Students$20
Visit the Museum as well as one of our partners : Guidatour (An activity at the Museum and an ExplorAction walking tour of Old Montreal - 514 844-4021 or 1 800 363-4021) and Croisières AML (An activity at the Museum and a Sailor for a day cruise or guided sightseeing cruise – 1 888 748-4857 ext. 225 or 335).
Lunch room

A lunch room is available for groups.
Reservations required.

Per student$1
Free if taking part in two activities during the day.

Access to the Museum

Consult instructions.
There is free bus parking on de la Commune Street, at the corner of Place Royale.