Saskatchewan Archaeological Society
The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society (SAS), founded in 1963, is one of the most active and effective volunteer-based archaeological organizations on the continent. We educate the public, promote research and advocate for heritage preservation and protection. Our members include professional archaeologists, avocational archaeologists and members of the general public that are curious about our province's first peoples and other cultures.
What does the SAS do?
- Offers all ages fieldschools, hands-on workshops, annual meeting and conference, annual bus tour, special tours and regional chapters across the province.
- Offers teaching and educational resources such as artefact replicas, "archaeo-kits", "Kiwetinohk"
- travelling rock art exhibit, videos, an extensive library of books, journals, theses, maps and photos, a quaterly newsletter on archaeology, history, natural history, geology and palaeontology news and publications for sale.
- Provides funding to individuals or groups for research projects and the annual Zenon Pohorecky Memorial Bursary to university students.
How do I join?
Contact the SAS!
#1-1730 Quebec Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9
Ph: (306) 664-4124
Fax: (306) 665-1928
Email: saskarchsoc@sasktel.net
Web: www.saskarchsoc.ca
During 2013, the SAS is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of the Annual Gathering and are placing a number of geocaches at archaeological and historically-significant sites throughout the province.
SAS #6: ADDISON SOD HOUSE
The Addison Sod House has been a National Historic site since 2003. It became a Provincial Heritage property in 1992 and merits many more visitors. The soddy was recognized for its traditional location on the open prairie surrounded by a garden and a shelterbelt. It was also honoured for its longevity and skilled craftsmanship. The house is on private land so permission is needed to enter. It is thought that this is the last of the “soddies”, homesteaders sod houses, standing on the prairies. Its longevity is due to the craftmanship of its original homesteader.
This incredibly well preserved sod house was built a by British immigrant carpenter and farmer, Jim Addison in 1909-1911. His plans were intentional to create a low one and a half story home of well cut sod blocks. The blocks were about 10 cm thick, a meter wide and 1.5m long. They were laid in an overlapping fashion to create all walls and from the pyramidal structure you see today. The walls are over 1.25 m thick at the base and taper to 1 m in thickness at the top. Inside the family has maintained a section where you see the sod. Note the hipped roof and triangular dormers, along with the deeply set doors and windows. Addison used a wooden roof to eliminate water damage from snow and rain. His careful construction is why it is the oldest sod house on the prairies. After the sod was carefully laid, then protective exterior cladding was added. Over the century of full time use this ranged from wood to asphalt and vinyl. Addison first placed cedar shingles and vines on the exterior to again protect it from the elements. Most settlers used sod as the roof which meant that whenever it rained the house was damp for several days. Inside the walls of the Addison Sod house are finished with plaster and wallpaper except for one area by the back porch where the sod was left for other to admire. The family continued to occupy the house for over 100 years. Today the extended family maintains the garden and uses the house during the farming season. During an SAS Bus Tour in Sept. 2012, they noted how comfortable it is in all types of weather. The family will arrange tours by prior arrangement.
Addison first settled in Saskatoon and then set out by ox cart to homestead. The challenges of homesteading on the prairies are well known. You might find Eva Szasz NFB film ( 1995) , “Homesteading on the Prairies” interesting. It claims that an acre of sod was needed to build a small soddy. A replica soddy is also close by at the Smiley Great Wall of Saskatchewan and at the Elbow Museum. .
Sod houses use a passive solar design and keep a standard temperature in both the winter and summer. The rooms were added by Addison along with a root cellar, out buildings and a dugout. In the 1960s the house had electricity and indoor plumbing added. The dugout is now a conservation area. Addison’s original hand crafted canoe is kept in the barn. You are looking for a cammoed circular container with SAS goodies located on the road allowance.