Relic of Quebec ramparts unearthed by Canadian archaeologists in 'major' find

Archeologists in Canada’s Quebec City have found a well-preserved relic of the settlement’s first fortifications built by French settlers more than 300 years ago, they said on Tuesday. The foundations of the palisaded ramparts date from 1693 and are about 20 meters long (22 yards). They were uncovered during initial construction work at a residential project in the city, whose old quarter is a World Heritage site. “We found a small piece of wood driven into dark soil. We got out our trowels and scraped the dirt very delicately, and realized that we had found a hugely important relic, very well preserved,” said Jean-Yves Pintal, head of the archeological team. The relic was part of an enclosure erected according to the plans of French military engineer Josue Dubois Berthelot de Beaucours between 1693 and 1694 to replace a temporary system built in 1690 to defend the city against possible English artillery fire.