Tracing the Basque presence in eastern Canada during the 16th and 17th centuries, through ceramic remains: the example of the glazed pottery produced in Bilbao

Abstract

[EN] Recent studies on pottery production at the Basque Country have enabled us to identify ceramic wares from Bilbao that exhibit characteristic uniform morphological features, as well as particular compositional characteristics in archaeometric studies. Thanks to these distinctive technical features, it seems likely that these wares could be recognized in ceramic assemblages related to the Basque presence in Newfoundland and Quebec, during the 16th and 17th centuries. Our contribution, largely based on graphic documentation, is intended to stimulate a discussion with other investigators, in order evaluate the possible presence of pottery from Bilbao in Canadian archaeological assemblages