Developing Over The Past: The Human Face Behind Archaeological Sites

"To remove threatened cultural treasures [at the site of a proposed industrial facility in Washington], a crew of 40 archaeologists and 80 to 100 [Elwha] tribal members worked...through last summer and fall. They mapped at least six houses and numerous cooking hearths [over 13,000 artifacts over all]. The result is the largest pre-European-contact village site ever excavated in Washington." Because of the expansive archaeological nature of the site, descendants of the over 1,700-year-old tribe protested the work, leading to complex negotiations with the state and the local population. One potential solution? "...a state-of-the-art museum, interpretive center, and curatorial facility. The loss of short-term construction jobs...would be more than offset by the economic benefits of a world-class cultural attraction on the waterfront."

Thanks to David Gest