UNBC students dig into history

For the first time since the 1970’s, a university-led archaeological dig has been conducted at a historically significant site in the North Central Interior.


Over the past several weeks, 23 UNBC anthropology students have participated in an archaeological field school at a site west of Prince George near the confluence of the Chilako and Nechako Rivers. More than 100 stone artifacts were discovered following the excavation of several square units, in two archaeological sites.


“We worked with the Lheidli T’enneh and Nazko First Nations to select this site, which was originally identified by archaeologists a few years ago as part of an impact assessment for a forest cut block,” says Dr. Farid Rahemtulla, an Anthropology professor at UNBC and the field school director.


“We recovered a number of stone tools, items used for hunting, and some remnants of stones that were likely sourced from hundreds of kilometres away. Beyond that, we don’t know much yet. Unlike the Coast and Southern Interior of B.C., the Northern Interior remains virtually unknown to archaeologists. For UNBC, this represents the start of a long-term project to explore the history of this region together with First Nations communities.”


In addition to exploring the history of the region, the field school is part of UNBC coursework designed to provide training in archaeological methods.


It is the largest university archaeology field school operating in B.C. this summer. “We don’t know exactly how old the artifacts are that we found, but likely more than 400 years old and possibly much older,” says Dr. Rahemtulla, who has conducted archaeology work in Africa, along the B.C. Coast and the southern Interior of the province.


“There is strong evidence to suggest that First Nations have been in this area for at least 10,000 years and there are a number of potential archaeological sites around central B.C. that could provide clues about their lives.”


The field school expects that the artifacts recovered during the excavation will be displayed in the Anthropology Teaching Lab within the year.

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