Down on the palisades
For about thirty years, I lived in a large city. What set this one apart from so many others is that the city was old. By Canadian standards, nothing older, really. Boots on the ground for more than four centuries. Leaves a lot of stuff behind.
This evening, I learned while reading online news, that archeologists have found some old fortifications. What makes this newsworthy is that the material used was rough hewn wood; logs, in common parlance. And, based on the archival material avilable, the research sets the date of construction at pre-1700. In other words, essentially the original fortifications of the city. Still visible.
The last image, from a “dig” about two years ago, shows why palisades were even an issue. The ball still contained the original explosive charge (which is why the modern soldier was called in; no idea about the camo)
I tried to figure out where, precisely, using the given street name and some photos. Google Streetview didn’t answer my query. Might have to pay a visit; boots on the ground, if you will. Or send one of the kids as a proxy. How to sell the fascination?
Seriously, when one lives in a full-size diaporama, other things get in the way of any real sight-seeing. Jobs. Family life. But, I take pride in the history I did absorb (care to sit down for a while? I can spin you a spell!) from daily life there. So many buildings. So many streets. So many views from the ramparts. When I go back, I’ll have to go as a tourist. Try to visit as many museums as my time will allow. And after that, my spun spells will have some context. Not just the ramblings of an old man. My kids will be pleased.
