The Archaeology of the Dead at Boundary Bay, British Columbia
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THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE DEAD AT EOtDi'DhRY BAY, BRITISH COLUmLA: A fflSTORY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS Lesley Susan it-litchefl B.A., Universiry of Alberta 1992 THESIS SUBMITTED INPARTIAL FULFILMENT OF TNE REQUIREmNTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Archaeof ogy 8 Lesley Susan Mitcheif 1996 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY June 1996 All rights reserved. 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Title of Thesis/Project/Extended Essay - The Archaeology of the Dead at Boundary Bay, British-- Columbia: A History and Critical Analysis June 19, 1996 (date) Approval 'ITILE OF THESIS: The hham1ugy of the Dead at Boundary Bay, British Columbia: A Hi- ad Critical Analysis June 19. I996 Abstract This thesis examines the context and development of human skeletal research in archastofogy at 3orrnda-y Bas British Columbia, Canada, with special reference to tlreoreticaf, meth~dologicaIand sxio-poiirical facrars that have affected the research to date, h recent decades there has ken a rise in opposition, particularly by First Nations groups, to scholarfy investigations concefning archaeological human bone. The 'reburial issue' in general, and recent instances of skeletal reburial by local First Nations at Boundary Bay in specific, has prompted an historical, critical, and self-reflexive examination of osteo-archaeological research on native remains. The thesis has seved main focuses. To begin, it examines the Firxi dtri~fruia'~ri~diti~ti regarding the reIationship between the living and the dead in Coasc Saiish culture as revealed through ethnographic literature. Then, the scientific fr~ditiotz,which views ancient human skeletal remains as 'data'iinvaluabte for gaining an understanding of past human lifeways, is reviewed. Following this, an historical and critical approach is applied in order to identifjt trends in past skeletal i-~~chat Bo'rf~dary Bzy tbsough a detailed analysis ofostodcgicai and archaeoiogical reports. Two recent reburial case studies are also described. Finally, some insight into and guidelines for firmre work in osteo-archaeology in B.C.are offered This study has revealed that Coast Salish traditional belief systems maintain that unsmctiond or inappropriate contact with the dead can potentially cause serious harm to the living, and that the living bear the responsibility of ensuring that the spirits and remains of the dead are cared for properly. On the other hand, an investigation into the scientific study of human skeletal remains has brou@-f to light the value and unique contributions that such remkns md have made to general human knowiedge, and to First Nations communities in specific. Finally, results of the critical analysis in this thesis demonstrate that there have been significant shifts over time in the nature and content of human skeletal research at Boundary Bay. These changes include: increasingly comprehensive lines of inquiry; the mpfoyment ofhighly speciaEized techniques ofanalysis; the trend towards salvage rather than research-oriented excavation; and, finally, increased participation and control by local First Yations groups, inctuding reburial of remains. The approaching millennium iikely promises hrther intensified control by local bands over skeletal investigations -- including reburial. However, rather than perceiving this control as impeding the progress of the discipline, it sho\~ldinstead be viewed positively since cooperation and communication between scholars and Fm Nations wilt surely bring new insight: and direction to the study of the human past. Acknowledgements A number of people have greatly contributed to this work and deserve my appreciation and rgqy&iorrhere. Fks; of d!, !extend my heartfelt tha~ksTO my Se~iorsupervisor, Dr. Roy Car!son, for providing encouragement and support to me throughout my graduate training. My secondary supervisor, Dr. Mark Skinner, provided initial inspiration and exhibited a continuous confidence in me to bring this project to fruition. f would also like to thank Dr. Richard Lazenby for agreeing to be my external examiner, and final!y, to Dr. Richard Shutler for his generous support at the end. Next, I greatly appreciate the time and input offered by Chief Sharon Bowcott of the Tsawwassen First Nation, and Darlene Dort, Cultural AEairs Person, also at Tsawwassen. Of the Semiahmoo First Nation, I would like to thank Leonard Wells, Cultural Resource Manager, for his hefphl insights and for providing information regarding burial policy. I am hrther indebted to many people in a number of institutions and agencies throughout the lower mainland. Andrew Barton and Barb Winter in the Department at Simon Fraser University, and Joyce Johnson at the Archaeology Laboratory at the University of British Columbia, provided usehl information on reburials and burial policies. Jim Pike, Project Officer, at the Archaeology Branch in Victoria, generously provided access to reports and policies. Milt Wright, also at the Branch, can always be counted on for support and a laugh or two. Current and former members of Arcas Consulting Archeologists, namely Richard BroUy, Joanne Curtin, Geordie Howe, and Arnoud Stryd, were indispensable in terms of providing me with information on both reburial case studies. Both Linda Bannister and Linda Przybyla, in the Archrteology Department office, were always reliable for help and a smile. My fellow graduate students provided much friendship and intellectual support over the past three years. I would like to thank my parents, Jeannette and Marvin, my brother, Jeff, and sisters, Debbie, Jennifer, and Pam, for always supporting me and for giving me the confidence to pursue my gods. Lastly, to Arne, I owe the most for being a constant source of inspiration, arength and loving support. Table of Contents .. Approval ............................................................ il ... Abstract ............................................................ 111 Acknowledgements ............................................. iv List of Tables ........................................................ vii ... List of Figures ...................................................... vli~ CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ......................................... 1 STATEMENT OF THE PR0BLE.U ................................. 1 ESEARCH GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................ 3 THEORETICAL ORlEP~TTATION .................................. 5 T-rIEREBUXTAiISSij'E .......................................... 8 STUDYAREA ................................................ 14 CHAPTER 2: RESPECT FOR THE DEAD .. UNDERSTANDING COAST SALISHSPIRITUALITY ....................................... 21 ETHNOGRAPHIC CONTEXT .................................... 21 THE DEAD IN TRADITIONAL BELIEF AND PRACTICE ............. 24 Mythologlv' .............................................. 27 The Supemztzrd .................................. .... 29 Ritual and Ceremony ...................................... 33 Mortuary Customs ........................................ 36 CONTEMPORARY SALISH SOCIETY ............................. 42 European Contact and Religion .............................. 43 Modem Funxal Practices ................................... 45 First Wations Burial Policies ................................. 48 CHAPTER 3: HU3M.N SKELETAL REMmS .. THE SCIENTIFIC TRADITION .................................................. ...... 51 A BlUEF HISTORY OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY ............... 51 WHY STUDY HUMAN REWS? ............................... 55 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY ON THE NORTHWEST COAST ........ 59 HISTORY OF RESEARCH IN THE STRAIT OF GEORGIA REGION ..... 63 FACTORS AFFEC1'ENG SKELETAL RESEARCH .................... 75 CHAPTER 4: THE COhTTEXT AND DEVELGPMENT OF BOUNDARY BAY OSTEO- .mCHAEOLOGY .............................................