Artifacts and remains of at least seven Sechelt Nation ancestors were uncovered during excavation of a site on Sechelt's waterfront April 26.
The site on Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) lands near the Catholic church and the waterfront was being cleared to build a new home when the remains were found.
While the discovery drew a crowd and the site was cordoned off for archaeological examination, archaeologist for the SIB Peter Merchant said the discovery is common on Band lands.
"Where we are right now is part of the large village site that has been here for at least the last three and a half thousand years, and underneath the road here where we are now is an enormous burial site that extends back, being used for at least 1,000 years if not longer," Merchant said. "So as part of the Band's building process on the Band lands prior to house construction like we have here, we look at it archeologically. Unfortunately, since the Band members are forced to live in these locations by the government, they are living literally on top of their cemeteries and their own homes. So it's something that is inevitable. It always comes up."
But this particular burial site held some intrigue and offered some insight into European influence on the Sechelt people. Most of the burial sites showed perfectly preserved skeletons lying on their side in the fetal position, which Merchant noted is common to the Sechelt's history. However, one skeleton's legs were in more of a kneeling position and its head was missing.
"One of them looks like he has a wound of some sort and he also has no head. Why? We don't know," Merchant said.
Consultant archaeologist Kenzie Jessome was looking forward to examining this skeleton further to try to determine the cause of death and to unravel the mystery of the missing head.
He said that through examination of the top of the vertebrae he would be able to tell if the person was beheaded, and if so, possibly what kind of instrument was used.
Merchant found the discovery of artifacts buried with the skeletons on site shed some light on the European influence at the time these burial sites were formed.
"In the centre about a foot down we found a burial that was partially disturbed, but in conjunction with that burial we found perforated bear teeth, which were used as jewellery. We also found sea mammal, what looks to be potentially killer whale or sea lion teeth, and they also found a large piece of metal that had been modified into a harpoon point," Merchant said. "That's really interesting because what's happened is European material is being modified to suit the indigenous culture. So they've taken European material that's shown up, steel, and modified it and are now using that for their economic practices. So they've got a continuity of their traditional economic system but are using European materials now, which is extremely significant."
Merchant was unable to date the discovery on site, but said the remains will be taken to the SIB museum for further study and carbon dating.
While it is common practice to look for archaeological sites while digging on SIB lands, Merchant notes any digging on the Coast could result in an archaeological find of significance.
"Everything's been used from below the ocean to the tops of the mountains by the Band for thousands of years," he said, adding artifacts could be lying beneath the ground in your backyard.
If you find artifacts or remains you are asked to contact the SIB at 604-885-2273. They will endeavour to send someone out to survey the find as soon as they can.
