
Mercedes Hunter, MA
Senior Field Director
Mercedes Hunter graduated from Trent University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and from the University of Manitoba in 2022 with a Master of Arts in Anthropology. Her academic journey included significant hands-on fieldwork, contributing to her strong foundation in both pre-contact Indigenous and Euro-Canadian archaeology.
During her undergraduate years, Mercedes participated in the Bioarchaeological Field School at the National Historic Fortress of Louisbourg, where she honed her excavation and lab processing skills, particularly with human osteological remains. Her time as a volunteer at Trent University’s Archaeological Lab further solidified her expertise in faunal skeletal analysis and Indigenous artifact processing.
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Mercedes began her professional career as a Field Technician at ASI in Toronto, where she collaborated on several significant archaeological excavations in the Hamilton area. Her role at Paterson Group in Ottawa saw her engaging and leading multi-stage archaeological assessments at Point Pelee National Park, working alongside First Nations representatives.
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Joining Matrix Heritage in January 2021, Mercedes quickly progressed from Field Technician to Field Supervisor. In her current role, she assists with the coordination of, and directs all stages of archaeological field projects, ensuring meticulous documentation and adherence to the Standards and Guidelines. Her responsibilities also include the analysis and reporting of findings, authoring and contributing to technical reports for the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
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Mercedes’s dedication to archaeology is reflected in her comprehensive field experience and her commitment to leadership within her team. She holds a Research Ontario Archaeological License and is actively involved in the ongoing study and preservation of cultural heritage in Ontario.
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EDUCATION
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M.A. 2022 – Anthropology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
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B.A. 2018 – Archaeology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON
LICENCE/ PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
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Research Ontario Archaeological License R1331
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Association of Professional Archaeologists
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Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology
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Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
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