Archaeology | City of Kawartha Lakes

Kawartha Lakes has a rich archaeological record dating back over 12,000 years. Archaeological sites exist across the City that tell the stories of our rich Indigenous and non-Indigenous history and reflect the long-standing and continuous use of our land and waterways. As our communities change and grow, protecting these important sites has become increasingly important to help us understand the history of our material culture.

In Ontario, archaeological sites are protected under Part VI of the Ontario Heritage Act. It is illegal to knowingly disturb an archaeological site, unless you are a licensed archaeologist. All archaeological excavations in Ontario must be undertaken by a professional archaeologist. This ensures that any artifacts or burial sites that may be found as part of an archaeological investigation are properly handled and documented and any artifacts property cared for and stored.

Archaeological Management Plan

The City of Kawartha Lakes has adopted a new Archaeological Management Plan, approved by Council in September 2025, to guide how we manage and protect archaeological resources across the municipality. Implementation of the plan will begin throughout winter 2025/2026.

This plan outlines when archaeological assessments are required for public and private projects, provides data to help determine when a property or area has archaeological potential, and strengthens how we collaborate with Indigenous communities. For more information on the plan and its development, please visit the project page on Jump In.

Archaeological Assessments

Archaeological assessments are required for certain types of applications made to the City where there is soil disturbance occurring and where the area has a high archaeological potential. This is primarily the case for applications submitted under the Planning Act. Archaeological assessments are completed prior to any construction activity taking place to ensure that any artifacts that might be present on the site are identified, documented and protected. All archaeological assessments must be completed by a licensed archaeologist. Archaeologists in Ontario are licensed by the provincial government which maintains a database of all licensed archaeologists in the province.

If you would like to learn more about archaeological assessment, when they are required and how it may impact a project you are planning, please contact us at archaeology@kawarthalakes.ca

I've found an artifact. What do I do?

While we undertake archaeological assessments to try and prevent accidental finds, sometimes artifacts and burial sites are found by accident, either during construction or as part of every day activities.

Accidental Finds

If you accidentally come across an artifact during a day to day activity, such as plowing a field, working in your garden or at the beach, leave the artifact in place. Do not continue to look for artifacts in the area or continue to disturb the site.

Take a photo of the artifact and let us know where you found it at archaeology@kawarthalakes.ca. This helps us document where artifacts have been found in case an archaeological assessment needs to undertaken to support construction in the area in future.

Finds During Construction

If you are undertaking a construction project and encounter an archaeological site, you must stop work immediately. An archaeologist must be brought on site to excavate the site and identify its extent and what artifacts are present.

You must contact archaeology@kawarthalakes.ca to notify the City of the discovery and include its location and photographs of the site. The City's Heritage Planning Officer will assist you in navigating the archaeological process.

Burial Sites

If you encounter human remains or a burial site either during construction or everyday activity, you must stop all work immediately and call the police. The police and coroner will determine if the site is archaeological site or a crime scene. Do not move any remains and limit access to the site.

Once the site has been cleared by the police, an archaeologist will need to be brought to the site to determine the size and scope of the site and next steps to ensure compliance under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act. You must contact the City's Heritage Planning Officer at archaeology@kawarthalakes.ca to help you navigate the process.

Contact Us

Email: archaeology@kawarthalakes.ca

Telephone: 705-324-9411 ext. 1366

Toll free at 1-888-822-2225

After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337