Just last year the world marveled at the discovery of one of the two lost ships of the Royal Navy’s Franklin expedition, tonight the Peterborough community can hear about the discovery in person thanks to a public lecture by alumnus Dr. Douglas Stenton ’80, a graduate of the M.A. program in Anthropology and a key player in this historic discovery.

Dr. Stenton, director of heritage, Government of Nunavut headed up the terrestrial archaeology team which played a pivotal role in locating the wreck of HMS Erebus. His identification of two distinctive Royal Navy artifacts found by the team was significant, leading to the discovery of the submerged vessel. He will join the Trent and Peterborough community this evening at The Venue for a free public lecture, the Archaeology of the 1845 Franklin Expedition - New Evidence and Questions.

“Dr. Stenton is one of Trent’s distinguished alumni and we are thrilled to have him back in Peterborough to present the latest findings on the HMS Erebus as well as archaeological evidence from other Franklin sites,” said Anne Keenleyside, associate professor and chair of, Anthropology at Trent University.

In his presentation he will talk about the history of the expedition and the various searches that were launched in the 1800s to look for the lost ships, discuss the archaeological evidence that has been recovered from Franklin sites that have been found on land, and talk about the discovery of the Erebus and what it has revealed so far.  He will also have artefacts from the expedition with him to show the audience.

The event is supported by the Arts, Culture and Heritage Division of the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Museum & Archives, Shelagh and Jon Grant, Fleming College, Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies and Kenneth Kidd Fund.