Outer Coast Archaeological Survey, 2020
Following field research in 2019 to reconstruct the last 16,000 years of relative sea level change on a small outer coast archipelago in northern British Columbia, in June-July 2020 we began an archaeological survey of the islands to search for evidence of early human presence following the Last Ice Age. Using our new understanding of where sea level position was at different times in the past, we looked for archaeological sites at elevations associated with different shorelines, both above and slightly below modern sea level. Our initial findings indicate a rich archaeological record of human occupation of the remote outer coast for thousands of years. Explore the following photos to learn more about this exciting research project!
Our field team included researchers from the Gitga’at First Nation, Simon Fraser University, Inlailawatash Archaeology, as well as several independent archaeologists. The broader project is supported in partnership by the Gitga’at Nation, Kitasoo/Xai’Xais Nation, and Simon Fraser University Department of Archaeology. The research is funded by the National Geographic Society and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
