#1: In the late 1980’s, an 18th century French cannon was uncovered while digging the foundations of the Skydome (current day Roger’s Centre). It may have been used at Fort York against invading Americans in 1813. However, its final days were clearly less than glamorous as its bore was filled in with concrete. It was likely a ballast for a ship (weight at the bottom of a boat to provide stability), or a barricade to prevent boats from ramming into docks, or even a security barrier in front of a building to guard against wayward carts (often used to transport artillery). In working condition, the cannon could fire a ball 1,650 metres or 1,800 yards.

Close to 2,000 artifacts were discovered at the Dome site, including…

#2: Broken doll heads. Like something out of a horror film, archaeologists found multiple heads. They were originally used to fill in the waterfront to make land for the Grand Trunk Railway tracks. Unsettling to think about how many of those creepy little faces might still silently wait to be discovered underground.