Ancient Artifacts Found In Vancouver

Artifacts that may be 5,000 to 8,000 years old have been found on the site of a planned subdivision here.

One item is similar to a spear point found embedded in the hip of a 9,300-year-old skeleton excavated last summer in Kennewick, although that doesn’t necessarily indicate a link between the sites, said John L. Fagan, president of Archaeological Investigations Northwest Inc.

Many of the Vancouver artifacts were found buried under layers of soil, which could help date them more precisely, said Fagan, whose Portland company is examining the property. Charcoal also has been found and could be dated.

“The site will have new information to add to our understanding of prehistory,” Fagan said. “Probably the best thing is to preserve it as is.”

The subdivision is under a stopwork order while the survey proceeds.

The artifacts include items such as grinding stones, stone tools, chopping tools to make wood implements and tools for woodworking. No bones have been found.

Several Indian tribes could have an interest in the site, because people from a number of tribes lived in or passed through the area.

Fagan said the site was probably more than just a camp, but not a village.

“What we may have is more a special-use area where people were able to spend some time,” Fagan said. “Certainly not year-round; probably on a seasonal basis to obtain raw materials.”

Based on the artifacts found so far, Fagan said people may have come to the area for oak from which to make tools.

Fagan will recommend to the city next week whether the site is significant and should be protected.

The city then can decide that the site is not significant, that it should remain undisturbed or that the artifacts should be removed and preserved. It could also request a state permit for further study.

The developer also could provide another archaeological analysis, which the city would weigh against Fagan’s.