THE•

Publication of the Archaeological Society of British Columbia ISSN 0047-7222 Vol. 25, No.4 October 1993

A BUNCH OF STICKS? THE MIDDEN A.S.B.C. Published five times a year by the is dedicated to the protection of archaeological resources Archaeological Society of British Columbia. and the spread of archaeological knowledge.

EDITOR Meetings featuring illustrated lectures are held on the Joyce Johnson second Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at 8:00pm in the Vancouver Museum Auditorium. Visitors CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE and new members are welcome! Brian Chisholm, Margaret Holm, Robin Hooper Don Lindenberg, Darnelle Moore PRESIDENT Reet Kana (263-8987) CREW Michael Brand, Richard Brolly, Vicki Feddema, MEMBERSHIP Margaret Holm, Andrew Mason, Heather Moon, Mike Rousseau Marie Michaud (222-4655)

PRODUCTION THIS ISSUE Annual Membership Fees Alison Biely Single $25.00; Family $30.00; Seniors & Students $18.00

SUBSCRIPTIONS Membership includes subscription to The Midden and the Katherine Merrick A.S.B.C. newsletter, SocNotes.

Subscription included with membership in the Make cheque or postal money order payable to the A.S.B.C.: _A.S.B.C .. Non-members $14.50 per year ($17.00 U.S.A. and ASBC Membership overseas) payable in Canadian funds to the A.S.B.C. Send to: P.O. Box 520, Station A Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2N3 Midden Subscriptions, A.S.B.C., P.O. Box 520, Station A AFFILIATED CHAPTERS Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 2N3 Fraser Valley Submissions and exchange publications should be directed to: Meetings featuring illustrated lectures are held on the third Tuesday of each month, September to May, at 7:30pm at Joyce Johnson, Editor, The Midden, 2615 Montrose Ave., Abbottsford., B.C. c/o UBC Archaeology, 6303 N.W. Marine Dr. Vancouver, B.C. V6T lZt Contact: Shirley Cooke (859-5757)

We welcome contributions on subjects germane to B.C. Nanaimo archaeology: maximum length 1500 words, no footnotes, Meetings on the second Monday of the month at: and only a brief bibliography. Guidelines are available. Malaspina University College, Dept. of Social Science, 900 Fifth St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5S5 Copyright Contents of The Midden are copyrighted by the A.S.B.C. President: Dorothy Young (758-2570) It is unlawful to reproduce all or any part, by any means Programme Chair: Laurie Hayden whatsoever, without permission of the Society, which is usually gladly given.

Publication of The Midden is financially assisted by the province of B.C. through the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. FRONT COVER:

A.S.B.C. DIARY The cover shows a section of a Haida fish weir revisitied by Parks Canada archaeologists this summer during a survey on the Queen Meetings: 8:00pm, auditorium of the Vancouver Museum, Charlottes. While over I 00 stakes remain in this complex trap, the longer stakes seen eroding out of the creek bank are particularly 1993 interesting since they represent the depth the stakes were originally Oct. 13 Gordon Mohs, Sto:lo Tribal Council Archaeologist driven into the ground. At most weir sites,little, ifany, of the stakes "Archaeology in the Lower Fraser Valley" are visible above the ground. Most get broken off by debris Nov.lO Dr. Catherine D'Andrea, SFU Palaeobotanist washing over them. Photo courtesy Andrew Mason. "Origins of Agriculutre in N.E. Japan" Dec. 8 · T.B.A. a 1HE

CHALLENGE '93

This summer I was employed as a re­ tray with polyethafoam (an acid-free foam) search assistant at the Vancouver Museum to protect the artifacts from corrosion. I through a Challenge '93 Student Grant. also stabilized some artifacts with mounts The grant was sponsored by the A.S.B.C. of the this foam. The goal of my ten-week employment was Finally, I catalogued some recent to assess the state of the archaeological acquisitions to the collection, as well as collection at the museum and make sug­ updating some of the written records. I gestions for changes that would produce a believe that the archaeological collection at more research-accessible collection. the Vancouver Museum is now more I began with an inventory of the entire research-accessible than when I started collection. This inventory consisted of working there in late May. checking each artifact against its written Unfortunately, there is still much that and photographic record. Once this was remains to complete this important task: done I was able to create a current artifact Conservation measures need to be addressed list which contained information on the concerning the storage of certain artifacts TABLE OF CONTENTS current status of all archaeological arti­ (e.g., some of the heavier artifacts should facts in the museum, as well as those in be relocated to the lower shelves, requiring Challenge '93 p. 1 various teaching collections or on loan to a new ordering system). Most of the collec­ other institutions. In doing so, I located a tion requires photographic documentation. Permits p.2 number of artifacts which were believed Also, the current archaeological gallery to have been missing from the collection. needs a "face-lift"- the exhibitions and B.C. Sites On-Line p. 3 Once the inventory was complete I ar­ public programming of the archaeological ranged the trays in the storage area into an material is quickly losing relevance in the Book Reviews p.4, 5 order more conducive to research. I then face ofcontemporary issues. As more fund­ renumbered the trays according to a new ing and assistance becomes available Ladner's Chinatown p .7 museum-wide storage numbering system through such programmes as the Challenge in order to integrate the archaeological Grants, these issues will be able to be ad­ Debitage p. 9 collection with that of the rest of the mu­ dressed. seum. News Items p. 10 Addressing some of the conservation Darnelle Moore concerns of the collection, I relined each Suddenly Last Summer p .11

New Publications p. 12

A.S.B.C. Executive p. 13

Conferences p.13 PERMITS

Issued by the B.C. Archaeology Branch, February- April, 1993:

1993-6 Bjorn Simonsen: inventory, Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island. 1993-7 Bjorn Simonsen: inventory, International Forest Products, Phillips Arm, Coast District 1993-8 Amoud Stryd: impact assessment, fonner Texaco Bulk Plant, Nanaimo. 1993-9 Bjorn Simonsen: impact assessment, proposed wharf facility, Granite Bay, Quadra Island (near EbSh 30). 1993-10 Morley Eldridge: impact assessment, DeRu 1, Blue Heron Road, North Saanich: 1993-11 Wayne Choquette: monitoring, MoTH bridge replacement, St. Mary's Road/Mission Road. 1993-12 John Dewhirst: monitoring, construction excavation on Buddy Road, View Royal (near DcRu 19), Victoria. 1993-13 Amoud Stryd: impact assessment, Miracle Land Corporation proposed development, View Crescent, Tsawwassen. 1993-14 Richard Brolly: impact assessment, Molnar Enterprises Ltd. proposed development, Tsawwassen (near DgRs 16). 1993-15 Bjorn Simonsen: inventory, Laredo Limestone Ltd. proposed quarry development, Aristazabal Island, Coast District. 1993-16 Leonard Ham: impact assessment, Transport Canada land at Pitt Meadows airport 1993-17 Wayne Choquette: impact assessment, MoTH bridge replacement and road realignment, Toby Creek, Kootenay· District. 1993-18 Brian Hayden: continued excavations at EeRl 7, Keatley Creek, near Lillooet. 1993-19 Ian Wilson: impact assessment, proposed forestry road near Sproat Bay, Tzartus Island, Barklay Sound. 1993-20 Morley Eldridge: impact assessment, DeRt 12, Pender Island. 1993-21 Geordie Howe: impact assessment, proposed forestry road, Canoe Pass, Cariboo District. 1993-22 Morley Eldridge: impact assessment, proposed forestry operations, Tom Bay and Pierce Bay, Coast District. 1993-23 Morley Eldridge: impact assessment, proposed storage site, Bear Skin Bay, Queen Charlotte City. 1993-24 Ian Wilson: overview, Sections 127-129, near Metchosin. 1993-25 Geordie Howe: systematic data recovery, fonner Texaco Bulk Plant, Nanaimo. 1993-26 Ian Wilson: impact assessment, proposed logging road south of Ure Creek, west shore of Lillooet Lake. 1993-27 Leonard Ham: impact assessment, Colbourne property, southwest Vancouver. 1993-28 Bjorn Simonsen: inventory, Canada Games Sailing Facility, Nicola Lake. 1993-29 Morley Eldridge: impact assessment, proposed subdivision, Cortes Island. 1993-30 Ian Wilson: impact assessment, proposed sewer line, Parksville. 1993-31 Leonard Ham: inventory, DhRt 24, Vancouver International Airport property. 1993-32 Morley Eldridge: inventory, intertidal zone, Lower Fraser River. 1993-33 Rebecca Balcom: impact assessment, McKenzie Capital Corporation subdivision, Tsawwassen. 1993-34 Ken Pugh: inventory, Upper Sto:lo territory. 1993-35 Jeff Bailey: impact assessment, residential subdivision in Balmoral, Kamloops District. 1993-36 Bjorn Simonsen: inventory, Northwest B<>y, Nanoose District. 1993-37 Jeff Bailey: impact assessment, residential subdivision in Williams Lake. 1993-38 Richard Brolly: impact assessment, Lot 20, D.L. 82, Comox. 1993-39 Geordie Howe: impact assessment, Skeena Sawmills log dump near Pike Creek, Devastation Channel, Coast District. 1993-40 Andrew Mason and Leonard Ham: inventory, Yale District. 1993-41 Beth Bedard: inventory of Bella Coola, Atnarko and Talchako Valleys and portions of Bentinck Arm and Dean Channel, Coast District. 1993-42 Ian Wilson: impact assessment, Cascade Power Project, near Grand Forks. 1993-43 Jeff Bailey: impact assessment, MoTH proposed gravel pit near Keremeos. 1993-44 Mike Rousseau: impact assessment, Reon Management subdivision, Barriere River, Kamloops ABOUT TO MEET THE COMPUTER AGE B.C. SITES ON-LINE

by Don Lindenberg

Up to now, descriptions of the approxi­ logical sites have yet to be found and re­ In the not-too-distant future (government mately 19 ,()()()()recorded archaeological sites corded, such an ability to predict site location time) other ministries and clients authorized across the province on site inventory forms will be very useful. by the Branch-such as archaeological con­ have been stored in large black binders at the In 1991, following the Forest Resources sultants or cultural resource managers--will Archaeology Branch in Victoria. In addition, Commission recommendation for a "com­ be able to access the Branch's information a map cabinet holds some 2,000 maps that mitment to complete inventories for all re­ directly by modem and phone line. For pro­ show site locations. Information is also avail­ newable forest resource values using stand­ tection and conservation reasons, however, able on CHIN (Canadian Heritage Informa­ ardized compatible systems," the Resources access to site information will be restricted in tion Network). Inventory Committee (RIC) was established accordance with special archaeological regu­ Within the next year, however, the maps to identify vital information needs and to lations in the Freedom of Information Act and site descriptions should be available on a develop common procedures and standards. The digitized maps used by the Archaeol­ computer screen. Users will be able to zoom In early 1992, major provincial funding was ogy Branch on its GIS system will also bear into small areas of on-screen digitized maps announced to initiate RIC' sintegration stand­ much more information that is relevant to for a detailed view of sites. Full information ards and to improve provincial resource in­ archaeological analysis, enabling research­ on any site will only be a mouse-click away. ventories through the Corporate Resources ers to display, not only land contours and What makes it all possible is the Geo­ Inventory Initiative (CRII). Data collection water courses, but also fish and wildlife, graphical Information System (GIS) and soft­ efforts are being stepped up and directed information, vegetation and more. The maps ware called Arc/Info which enables easy toward meeting the information needs of the will eventually be standardized to a scale of access to the huge database of information Commission on Resources and Environment 1:20,000, producing finer detail than the tied into each map sheet. A benefit of the (CORE), Protected Areas Strategy (PAS), 1:50,000 paper maps currently on file in the system will be shorter turnaround for infor­ and other land use allocation processes. Branch. mation requested from the Branch. John Twenty branches in six ministries are now CRII is expected to take another eight McMurdo, Senior Program Coordinator, involved. years to complete. For more information notes that one result will be a reduction in the The vision for this initiative is the ability to please contact John McMurdo or Heather amount of work needed to respond to re­ share information easily between various Moon, Archaeology Branch, 9534039. quests. government ministries. For instance, when The system will also increase the ability of the Ministry of Transportation and High­ the Branch to analyze existing archaeologi­ ways (MOTH) is planning new roads, it Don Lindenberg Is a free-lance writer cal data. For example, the information we will be able to superimpose the latest digi­ who often writes for provincial publica­ already have about existing archaeological tized archaeological information onto its tions. sites can be examined to help predict where computer to see quickly and completely other archaeological sites might be located. where any known archaeological sites might In a province where the majority of archaeo- be impacted.

EXHIBITION

October 5, 1993 to Inside Passage: 1792 February 27, 1994 UBC Museum of Anthropology

Using expedition records, drawings, maps and engravings, the exhibition explores the impact on First Nations of the Northwest Coast by contact with Europeans on the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. ------BOOK REVIEW

MOSTLY IN CANADA, YOU SAY?

Indian Rock Art of the Publications on rock art, as the author The book is not a guide to finding rock art himself states in the book's introduction, sites but an attempt to typify and interpret Columbia Plateau tend to be "simple descriptive works with rock art motifs in five sub-regions of the page after page illustrating various paint­ plateau. Keyser keeps the descriptive sec­ ings and carvings but without answers as to tions separate from his interpretive remarks. by JAMES D. KEYSER why or when the art was made." James He also provides useful ethnographic refer­ Keyser, who is Pacific Northwest Regional ences for many of his interpretations of the University of Washington Press Archaeologist for the U.S. Forest Service, significance of motifs. This is a welcome and Douglas & Mcintyre, 1992. has succeeded in writing a book that is not change from other books on rock art where 138 pp. (paper) just another descriptive list ofrock art sites. anecdotal interpretations are integrated into The book's first two introductory chap­ the descriptions. ters are devoted to providing an archaeo­ Although Keyser introduces the Colum­ logical context to rock art, defining the bia Plateau rock· art tradition as distinct difference between petroglyphs and picto­ from neighbouring Northwest Coast, Plains, graphs, as well as other terminology. Keyser and Great Basin rock art traditions, he does continues with a prehistoric cultural chro­ not attempt to define this tradition in rela­ nology of the Columbia Plateau (referred to tion to the archaeological record. Rock art as the Interior Plateau in Canada). He ex­ studies will continue to be peripheral to plains how rock art might be dated by archaeology until there is a greater attempt association with other artifacts, by por­ to integrate rock art sites with the prehis­ trayal of datable objects, by superimposi­ toric and historic cultural history and oral tion of images, and by the rock's patina and traditions of the Plateau's Interior Salish b weathering. Information on the durability and Athapaskan inhabitants. of painted pigments and their chemical relationship to the rock matrix is particu­ larly interesting. Margaret Holm As the author points out, over forty per­ cent of the Columbia Plateau is in British Margaret Holm received her M.A. on pre­ Columbia, including some of the densest historic art from U.B.C. In 1990. She Is c concentrations of pictograph sites, as well currently teaching part-time at U.B.C. and the Native Education Centre on Hast­ as the Plateau's largest site at Seton Creek. Ings Street. Holm Is a heritage consult­ It is unfortunate, therefore, that Keyser's ant and Is curatlng a travelling exhibition introduction only covers the prehistoric on prehistoric Coast Salish art for the cultural record for the southern plateau 25. Hunting is a common theme in British Museum of Anthropology. Colwnbia pictographs. The human surrounded by region. Just one short 12-page section looks deer may represent a shaman with special power at the rock art of the B.C. area. over these animals. The mountain goats (a) are found infrequently in Columbia Plateau rock arc, and the man spearfishing a srurgeon (c) is unique. LECTURE

November 7 Tony Hillerman, author 7:00pm UBC Museum of Anthropology, Theatre Gallery

Hillerman launches Sacred Clowns, the latest in his mystery series about Navajo police officers, Jim Chee and Joe Leaphom. BOOK REVIEW

A MOUND OF BURIALS

Easily accessible publications and dis­ fore the dates were calibrated. It seems it cussions of burials and archaeologically would make more sense to cluster them A Greenville Burial observed burial patterns from the British after calibration. People were buried in real Ground: Human Columbia coast are long overdue. Conse­ calendar-year time, not in radiocarbon years. quently, it was with a feeling ofanticipation While we can use radiocarbon years for Remains andMortuary that I picked up Cybulski's book on the simple temporal comparisons, if we are Greenville Burial Ground. This timely pub­ going to cluster burials to represent single Elements in British lication provides a wealth of information events, or a series ofevents that occurred at about the Greenville burials, burial ritual about the same time, they should be clus­ Columbia Coast along the B.C. coast, the history of the tered on the basis of "real" time. Greenville excavations and the excavation In the same vein, it should be sufficient to Prehistory process. It provides an interesting example comment on the problems of soil acidity of the process of discovery, excavation and without providing confusing details about by JEROME S. CYBULSKI analysis that was associated with the recov­ what pH values mean. While I agree that it ery of a series of human skeletal remains is important to present the burial sequence Archaeological Survey ofCanada, · from one site on the Nass River. While the information so that there is no confusion Mercury Series Paper No. 146. book is filled with useful information, a about the relationships between the various number of aspects of the presentation and individuals buried at the site, it could be National Museums of Canad~, argument are disappointing and bothersome. presented more concise[ y and without some Ottawa, 1992. $19.95 (paper) of the confusing details about dating and Chapter 1: Introduction. soil pH. These details would be better pre­ This chapter successfully begins thenar­ sented in an appendix. rative and provides the context for the study. The argument that a high proportion of The statements of purpose of the report are bone to stone artifacts in layer C being clearly laid out and simple to understand. indicative of good preservation is weak. No one knows what the proportion of bone Chapter 2.: Excavations and chronology. artifacts was to begin with. On page 23 the A number of topics presented in this author refers to "further tests" to suggest chapter provide thesitecontextwithin which that the differences in bone versus stone the features and burials were located. About tool proportions reflected cultural rather half of the chapter is devoted to a presenta­ than preservation factors. What were these tion and discussion of the site chronology "further tests"? and burial sequence, including a rather de­ tailed attempt to explain the calibration of Chapter 3: Mortuary practices. radiocarbon dates. The discussion of radio­ This very interesting chapter on mortu­ carbon dates and their treatment is confus­ ary practices brings together a lot of rel­ ing and largely unnecessary. A simple re­ evant ideas on the topic. Because some of porting of the dates with appropriate refer­ the discussions are relatively long and com­ ences would suffice. plicated, the chapter would benefit from a We are informed of every thought, step summary or summaries. I think it would and process that the author followed in also help if the demographic details were determining that the radiocarbon dates lined presented in a separate section, or chapter. up in three clusters. It would be sufficient to Cybulski seems surprised by the lack of mention the date clusters and reference the agreement between the ethnographic and statistical tests used to determine them. The archaeological record. Most ethnographic impression (correct or not) that I am left with, is literature on subsistence presents consider­ that the discussion ofstatistics and numbers are able discussion of methods of capture and to impress the reader with "ocience". preparation of some food species, particu­ Cybulski presents the date clustering be- larly mammals, usually ignoring the littoral shellfish that form the midden being exca­ them, as habitation sites." He continues, burials should be presented as part of their vated and discussed. leading up to the suggestion that perhaps description, not as part of the chapter on the Greenville midden matrix was brought mortuary practices. Chapter 4: Faunal remains. in to the site for the purpose of creating a In spite of the problems that I perceive, Chapter 4 is a separate faunal analysis burial mound, and that the midden was not there is no doubt that this book is important report on the Greenville material. That it is the remains of a habitation site after all. to B.C. archaeology and to physical anthro­ about bones-the same material that the This premise is di~ficult to support. pology. It presents considerable data on an human burialsareof-<:ouldjustify its pres­ hitherto unpublished population in the ence. Subsistence information may be rel­ Appendices. Northwest Coast region, and thus is ofgreat evant but this is not clear. My own feeling While it is useful to have the data pre­ value to researchers concerned with that is that the chapter doesn't belong here at all. sented in appendices, some seem irrelevant area. If subsistence needs discussion then the to the book-particularly those dealing with In conclusion, the book is a source of results should be summarized and the re­ artifacts, wood samples, and animal names. valuable information that might have been portreferred to. As a chapter on its own it is No archaeological context is really estab­ better presented. Though this is unfortu­ intrusive and contributes little to the book. lished in reference to the wood, faunal and nate, it should not hinder the author, or artifactual materials. It is not clear why other authors among us, from continuing to Chapter 5: Human biology, and these particular appendices are included present their work to both the archaeologi­ Chapter 6: Paleopathology. except that because the analysis of the ma­ cal community and the public. My only These are perhaps the most valuable chap­ terials was done, it had to be presented concern is that future publications be better ters in the book. They do a good job of somewhere. organized and presented, or the readers presenting and discussing the data that are might be unfavourably impressed with our used to characterize the Greenville popula­ In general, the quality of presentation of work. tion. There is no confusion about what is the book is high. Graphics and illustrations being.discussed, and the data are well sum­ are clear and well laid out. The type fonts marized. Both chapters present a good out­ are easy to read. As with any publication a line of the analytical methods and process few minor points need fixing, such as a Brian Chisholm followed, and of the types of data necessary north arrow on the site location map. to carry them out. However, the writing style of the book is Brian Chisholm straddles a line between somewhatdisorganized, and hard to follow. archaeology and physical anthropology. Chapter 7: Summary and discussion. Long sections, complicated both in writing Currently a vlsltllng scholar at U.B.C., he In the section on shell middens as cem­ and logic, would be a lot less confusing if Is working on stable Isotope studies In eteries, Cybulski mentions, "The lack of summaries of the important points were bone colagen for the purpose of recon­ structing prehistoric diets. This Is a con­ any concrete evidence for habitation at the provided. tinuation of studies he has been pursu­ Greenville site appears to indicate that it The organization of the book could ·be ing here and In Japan for fifteen years. was solely used as a burial ground. This is improved somewhat if the chapter on mor­ further suggested by a low density of arti­ tuary practices followed the characteriza­ facts at the site;" and later, "Northwest tion of the Greenville remains. It would put Coastarchaeologists have generally viewed them in context with other burials. I also shell middens, including burial areas within feel that the demographics ofthe Greenville

ARTIFACT IDENTIFICATION CLINIC November 23, 1993 UBC Museum of Anthropology 7:00-8:30 pm

Periodically throughout the year, UBC's Museum of Anthropology offers artifact identification clinics to the public. These clinics are generally held on the last Tuesday of the month, and are free of charge. Professional staff from the ethnology, archaeology, and conservation areas of the Museum are on hand to answer questions and offer advice on the care of any artifacts brought in. Check in at the admissions desk to find out where the clinic is being held, and so no one will think you're absconding with artifacts from the Museum's collection when you leave. ARCHAEOLOGY SUPPORTS HISTORIC RECORD

LADNER'S CHINATOWN

by Robin Hooper

In August 1991 during the demolition of bered 57 in 1881. By 1887 the B.C. Direc­ During World War I the Wadhams Can­ an oil storage facility on the west side of the tory (of business) listed seven stores, one nery also closed. On the west side of village of Ladner, B.C., a number of Chi­ laundry, and a labour con tractor, all owned Chinatown the Shell Oil Company pur­ nese artifacts were found under a building. by Chinese. A maximum population of chased0.13 acres of land in 1922. At about With the permission of the Imperial Oil about 350 had been reached by the turn of the same time the Imperial Oil Company Company, over 500 artifacts were collected the century. established an oil depot just west of Shell during the following year. The artifacts were Ladner Chinatown was established west Oil. Both companies built jetties to receive in a secondary context-highly disturbed ofthe settlement named Ladner's Landing, oil by tanker and to fuel up fishing boats. and fragmented. A total of 172 Chinese starting near the Wadhams Cannery that Ladner Chinatown suffered two serious ceramic vessels were identified, compris­ had been built 0.3 kilometres west of the fires. The first in 1914 totally destroyed two ing 15 distinct forms. In addition, 100 other Delta Cannery in 1883. The two canneries stores at the.east end of town. The remain­ artifacts of Euro-American origin were re­ were connected by a wide boardwalk that ing houses were spared by lack of air move­ covered. Research surrounding this collec­ continued past the Chinese houses to can­ ment The second fire was far more destruc­ tion was carried out to attempt to provide neries further downstream. There were tive. Starting near the oil tanks, and fanned information on the lifeways of the Chinese about eight buildings on the south side of by a strong west wind, between 12 and 15 community that is known to have existed in the boardwalk, and about seven along the houses were burned down in 1929. Fortu-, the area from about 1878 to 1929. river's edge. The buildings on the river­ nately the strong west wind spared the oil edge were mainly stores. One owned by tanks. However, the store owned by Hop Ladner village is named after two pioneer Hop Lee was close to the Imperial Oil Lee, close to the Imperial Oil tanks, was brothers, Thomas and William Ladner, who storage facility. destroyed. preempted land on either side of the In 1902 the Delta Cannery and four oth­ Shortly after the fire the Shell Oil Chilukthan Slough in 1868, six-and-one­ ers were closed due to reduced salmon Company purchased another 0.38 acres halfkilometres upstream from the Strait of catches and advances in canning technol­ east of their tanks. This entire property Georgia on the South Arm of the Fraser ogy. With the gradual demise ofthe salmon was sold to Imperial Oil in 1943. From River. The brothers farmed the rich delta canning industry in Delta after 1902 when 1929 to 1989 the land previously occupied soil for ten years before Thomas built the these five canneries were closed, the Chi­ by Chinatown was farmed, and a marina "Delta" salmon cannery on the east side of nese population decreased. operated on the river. By 1992 a large Chilukthan Slough in 1878. This cannery was the third of fourteen built in Delta by the turn of the century. Oolaoc-,. (111.. 1902) ~ An ongoing problem for cannery owners was finding workers to perform the many manual functions in the early canning proc­ esses. Because Europeans would not work N in the canneries, Native Indians and Chi­ nese workers were hired in large numbers. During the peak salmon season from May to October, each cannery employed up to 100 Chinese workers. Many Chinese had come north in 1858 from San Francisco during the Fraser River gold-rush. By 1863 there were 4000 Chinese working the gravel bars be­ tween Hope and Yale; by 1881 there were ..... ~to.tw• 8350 Chinese working in British Columbia, increasing to 14,885 by 1901. >Salt o;.., ...... ,... LADNER CHINATOWN circa 1925 ... , Dyb Workers also came under contract from A . '-"'""~ X)(·~ China to work on the railways and in the •· ....uoo~ ...... lj-. olwtifiCI cldlriNM. c. Hop L.:'tiiOrt =-... canneries. Those that came to Ladner num- • condominium complex, "Riverwest," had been constructed on the site.

The Site. The Chinese ceramic artifacts were sal­ vaged from an area of the Imperial Oil facility, mainly under the warehouse. This portion of the site lies on the lot purchased by Shell Oil in 1929. The concentration of pottery fragments was compactly mixed with bricks, metal fragments, marsh grass and oil-soaked river sediment. Though this matrix covered the entire site, it was con­ centrated mainly in a 10 square metre area from the surface down to about 50 centime­ tres in depth where a large slab of concrete was exposed at the 50 em level. In the southern half of the site, the artifact-bear­ ing matrix was covered with 20 em of gravel where vehicles turned. From the evidence and the highly frag­ mented nature of the ceramics, the conclu­ sion was that this material was moved from another site and deposited to provide fill for the oil facility some time after the 1929 fire. Correct proveniencing of the artifacts was impractical once it was determined they were in a secondary context. A likely hypothesis appears to be that these artifacts were all that remained of the Chinese buildings after the fire. To permit "Secllwan Brown" stoneware jar the land to be farmed, all debris from the buildings was removed to the adjacent prop­ and "Sechwan Brown" stoneware jars. In the artifacts recovered, and the extreme erty owned by Imperial Oil. A rough esti­ addition to the Chinese ceramics, 17 Euro­ mixing of all materials. mate of 165 cubic metres of material ap­ American and two Japanese ceramic types Found among the ceramics, a copper pears to have been transported. Many of the were recovered. Many metal artifacts of soldering-iron head with remains of a steel artifacts were distorted and discoloured by Euro-American manufacture were also in shaft embedded bears testimony to em­ fire. evidence on site. ployment of the Chinese as cannery work­ ers before 1913. These irons were used to The Chinese Ceramics. Conclusions. hand-solder the cans for the salmon can­ The corpus of Chinese ceramic artifacts The original Chinatown was located from ning process until 1913 when machines recovered consisted of three kinds of ware: 50 metres to 250 metres east of the site replaced the hand-process at the Fraser porcelain tableware, stoneware storage ves­ where the artifacts were found. It is prob­ River canneries. sels, and glassware containers. Two hun­ able that the rubble remaining from the A comparison of this collection to dred thirty-six fragments of these wares 1929 Chinatown fire was removed to the those found in other Chinese commu­ were recovered. Esso site for two reasons. First, the land was nity sites in the United States and Brit­ Three principal Chinese decorative types to be cleared for farming; and second, ma­ ish Columbia, indicates similarities in are well represented in the collection. These terial was required to provide :I firm fill on quantitative terms with regard to the are "Four Season" porcelain bowls and which to extend the bulk oil facility. This is proportion of Oriental to Euro-Ameri­ dishes, "Three Friends" porcelain bowls, supported by the evidence of fire damage to can ceramic wares and types. This measure of cultural integrity over time appears to be consistent in most places. Porcelain Stoneware Glassware Chinese and Euro-ceramic assem­ blages salvaged from Ladner and New no. fragments 185 44 7 Westminster Chinatowns have similar %oftotal 78% 19% 0.3% ratios of 67% Chinese ceramics to no. vessel forms 8 7 1 about 35% European. A recent exca­ minimum no. vessels 128 37 7 vation of ceramic artifacts from the

------~---r------DEBITAGE

Another year, another name. But what's in U.B.C. in the middle of a field project at the Pre-Forum: Preceding the Archaeological a name? The Archaeology Branch, this beginning of September to defend her the­ Forum, on Friday, November 19th at 10:00 year, will be under the Ministry of Small sis, "Early Formative Subsistence and Ag­ am, Val Patenaude (463-0673) and Jean Business, Tourism and Culture (notice riculture in Southeastern Mesoamerica," Bussey (534-5054) are organizing the sec­ who's last on the list). Well, I suppose that before heading back into the field to com­ ond Consultants Association meeting most archaeologists now fit in twice-un­ plete the project ••. Once back perma­ which will be held in the Pub Seminar der both Culture and Small Business. At nently from the project, Vicki began prepa­ Room at SFU. Interested individuals are least it's easier to say than ''The Ministry of rations with Heather Pratt to conduct an invited to attend. • •• Also, the time is Tourism and the Minister Responsible for impact assessment this month for B.C. drawing near for the SHA Conference on Culture."•••• What's in another name? Hydro and the Adams Lake Band near Historical and Underwater Archaeology Canadian Parks Service or Parks Canada, Chase.••• Previous M.A.s are still at it too. which will be hosted by SFU and the what's the difference? Is there a difference? Quentin Mackie, a recent M.A. graduate U ASBC. Anyone volunteering to help with The Canadian Parks Service will once again of U. Vic and now in England completing the January conference will get in free. be known as Parks Canada.••• And yet his PhD, has had his thesis accepted by Contact Sandi Sauer at SFU (291-4178) or another. Once again the A.S.B.C. has re­ B.A.R. to be published in their interna­ at home (299-5620). Norm Easton ceived provincial support, this time from tional series in later 1994. Look for it! •••• (Fax:403-668-8734) is organizing a special the Heritage Conservation Branch (used to Rob Tyhurst of Victoria, with the assist­ session on ":Underwater Archaeology and be called Heritage Trust) in the way of a ance ofUBC grad student Mike Brand, did the Prehistoric Record"•••• The issue of $3000.00 grant to support publication of a two-part project in the Fish Lake area of Hatzic Rock is still going strong. Interpre­ The Midden for 1993. These grants are the Chilcotin in August and September. tive tours will be going on at the site just necessary to keep The Midden going, but They were involved in surveying and test­ outside Mission until November 15th. Part they can no longer be taken for granted with ing(by helicopter) to lead B.C. Hydropower of the programme for school kids is to sift, the recent reduction of funds now avail­ lines to a new copper and gold mine for the backdirt pushed aside by the bulldozer able. However, the A.S.B.C. executive has Taseko Mines.... With the fall comes the for artifacts from the disturbed portion of tendered another application for 1994. Keep advent of archaeological conferences. The the site. To arrange call the Friends of your fmgers crossed! •••• Another M.A. is first will be Chacmool in November, fol­ Hatzic Rock, 854-4002. on the loose. Vicki Feddema returned to lowed by the Archaeology Forum.... And

Ladner's Chinatown, Cont"d

"Chi Kung Tong" house in Barkerville, B.C. provided a wider variance---92% Chinese and 8% European origin ceramics. Since these three Chinese communities existed from about 1975 to 1930, these ratios may provide a megsure of cultural integrity over time between coastal and remote inland Chinese communities.

Robin Hooper

Robin Hooper retired In 1983 as a Master Mariner In the Merchant Marines. Post­ retirement he rGcelved a diploma In paint­ Ing from Emily Carr College of Art and Design, followed by a B.F.A. from Open University In 1991. He then continued with archaeology studies at S.F.U. and Is currently Programmes Organizer for the A.S.B.C. "Four Seasons" porcelain bowl NEWS ITEMS

of the "North" category. David Pokotylo of A THANKS FROM U.B.C. will be responsible for the B.C. COMPLEXITY AT THE BRANCH Plateau, and Ken Ames of Western Wash­ ington University for the Columbia Pla­ CHACMOOL As ofAugust 30th, 1993 the total amount teau, both subdivisions of the "West" cat­ The conference this year will open with in the Dawne Slots Memorial Bursary was egory. a plenary session on Friday morning. This $4125.65. The bursary was set up by the Other associate editors for the "West" will be followed by the beginning of a Archaeology Branch in April of this year to will include Frank Bayham (California), complex schedule of sessions in the after­ ensure that Dawne's commitment to learn­ Patty Crown (Southwest),and James Wilde noon which run the gamut from complex­ ing and her concern for single parents be (Great Basin). George Frison (Pre-Clovis/ ity in the palaeolithic, through hunter­ remembered. The staff at the Archaeology Paleo-Indian), Ray Wood (Great Plains), gatherers, gender roles and, of course, Branch wishes to thank everyone who called Jim Brown (Eastern Woodlands) and David mortuary practices. Afterward will be an to offer their condolences and good wishes Morrison (Arctic/Sub-Arctic) will serve other open house at the University of Calgary's during the difficult weeks following areas. Brian Fagan has agreed to act as gen­ Department of Archaeology. Dawne's death. They greatly appreciated eral advisor of the project. Saturday's sessions will explore this consideration and thoughtfulness. complexity in the American Southwest, The bursary in Dawne's name will be northern, western and central Europe, the awarded annually to deserving students at­ Mediterranean, imd Central and South tending Camosun College. The first award FORUM America. These will run along with more will be presented this fall. Forum: an assembly for discussion of abstract sessions dealing with complexity Further contributions to the Dawne Slots public affairs (Funk & Wagnells 1963). as seen in visual iconography, and Bursary may be made to the Camosun Col­ interpretations of constructed complexity The Department ofArchaeology at Simon lege Foundation, attention: Barbara Wright, among the Maya. Fraser University will host the Second 3100 Foul Bay Road, Victoria, V8P 5J2. After listening to the Banquet Speaker, Annual B.C. Archaeology Forum to be held Official receipts will be issued. If you have Warren DeBoer, at the reception and on the weekend of November 20th and any questions or require additional infor­ banquet Saturday evening, the debate on 21st, 1993. The forum will include a number mation please contact Heather Moon, Ar­ complexity will be open to all on Sunday of high-profile guest speakers representing chaeology Branch, 953-4039. with an Open Discussion. various government and professional agen­ This year the conference will hold a cies who will report on recent archaeologi­ special session for undergraduates entitled, cal activities, and focus on a number of "A Change in Focus: Undergrad IN THE WORKS important topical issues germane to B.C. Perspectives." This informal session offers New on the horizon is an encyclopedia archaeology. The purpose of the forum undergraduate students the opportunity and focusing on North American prehistoric will be: experience of preparing and presenting a archaeology. The encyclopedia plans to 10-15 minute research paper about focus on cultural and technological pat­ 1. to present a summary of archaeological archaeology or anthropology (it doesn't terns by summarizing such things as re­ activities and studies undertaken by sev­ have to relate to the "complexity" issue in gional phases and complexes, tool types, eral major B.C. universities, colleges, any way). Short, 200 word abstracts should subsistence, concepts, settlement types, First Nations heritage organizations, and be presented by November 1st to Hugh pioneer archaeologists and distinctive geo­ private consultants during the last year; Gibbons at the conference address (or tel. graphic areas. 2. to present differing viewpoints regarding 403-220-7120, fax 403-282-9567). The volume is tentatively called (what a number of legal, political and ethical else?) Archaeology of Prehistoric North matters pertaining to B.C. archaeology America: An Encyclopedia and is intended management policy; as a university-level research resource. For 3. to update the current progress of the organizational purposes the subject matter drafting and passing of the recently re­ will .be divided into six topical areas: Pre­ vised Heritage Conservation Act; and Clovis/Paleo-Indian, North, Great Plains, 4. to provide an opportunity for open dis­ Eastern Woodlands; West, and a general cussion between all participants. category (reader's guide, history, concepts, names, etc). EVERYONE is welcome and there is no Donald Mitchell ofthe University of Vic­ registration fee. For further information toria has agreed to act as associate editor for contact Mike Rousseau (467- 3497) or Geor­ CHACMOOL the Northwest Coast which is a subdivision die Howe (941-0708).

------~~------SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER ...

Not much activity appeared to be going on early in the season, but suddenly things seemed to pick up. The Midden asked archaeological consultants and free-lance archaeologists what they had been involved in so that we could see what went on in archaeology in B.C. over the . summer. So far, this is what we have.

Fish Lake is located approximately eight In the Queen km north of Lower Taseko Lakes in the On Vancouver Charlottes Chilcotin region of B.C. The lake, at 4800 Island feet above sea level, is two km long and one Two archaeology crews were working km wide at its maximum. The study area Areas Consultants Ltd. have also been busy this summer. First an update on the along the east coast of Moresby Island, also contains two smaller lakes four km Cypress Street site (DhRx 66) in Nanaimo. around L yelllsland and in Juan Perez Sound southeast ofFish Lake. Archaeological sur­ this summer. The larger crew, led by AI vey concentrated on the lake shores and A burial recovered last December by Lindsay Oliver during soil remediation at Mackie ofMillennia Research, was involved adjacent areas of all three lakes. Limited the Imperial Oil bulk-loading facilities on in a boat survey to systematically find and shovel-test transect survey was carried out record sites along the coastline for resource away from the lake areas. Departure Bay caused mitigation to be management purposes. Theprojectinvolved Results of the survey include 17 prehis­ ordered because of probable impact. training Haida archaeologists. toric sites, one historic site and a number of Archaeological evidence confirmed the . A second crew, headed by Daryl Fedje isolated finds. The majority of prehistoric presence of a late 19th century slaughter­ of the Canadian Parks Service, was work­ sites are small lithic scatters with no recog­ house that was known to have been on the property. A provincial jail existed after the ing in Juan Perez Sound. This crew in­ nizable cultural features. A small number cluded Andrew Mason from the University of the sites contained earth ovens, and a slaughterhouse until 1923 when the site· of British Columbia and a Dididaht trainee. single site included habitation features. was occupied by squatters. Formerly owned Areas missed by earlier surveys because of A second period of fieldwork occurred by Texaco Oil in the late 1940s and early bad weather or high tides were inspected by in late September by helicopter to survey a '50s, the property was most recently a bulk boat. A stone fish trap and a midden site transmission line corridor for the proposed plant of Imperial Oil were located. mine. The midden appeared to be that of a A small test excavation was conducted at a seasonal herring fishing village occupied in site on Hotspring Island to obtain material the early spring. Ninety-one prehistoric ar­ suitable for dating. Several flakes and a variety tifacts were recovered, and three charcoal­ of faunal remains were indicative of a heavy Elsewhere on the based radiocarbon assays showed dates of reliance upon shellfish and rockfish. 560±50, 650±90 and 680±70. The burial A larger mapping and excavation pro­ Plateau recovered in December appears to be a gramme was carried out at a 9200 year-old Antiquus Archaeology Consultants Lld. post-1000 BP midden burial. raised beach site that had been identified by has been very busy this year. The company Millennia the year before. The site was has undertaken a fair number of small im­ excavated to determine the nature of the pact assessment projects throughout B.C.'s archaeological deposits, to monitor the rate Interior within ornear Barkerville, Barriere, Departure Bay of erosion, and to collect additional materi­ Cache Creek, Hope, Keremeos, Shuswap Areas again-this time in August The als suitable for dating. Lake, Smithers, Summerland, Savona and City ofNanaimo on Vancouver Island paid Williams Lake. for mitigation at Departure Bay Road for Detailed mitigative excavations were development of an intersection. Areas conducted at site EeRb 77 on Kamloops performed the impact assessment. The In the Chilcotin I.R. No.I, and at site DiRi 1 in Hope. Also midden on the site proved to be a burial In late July and August, Robert Tyhurst, completed was the report on results of de­ ground. Nanairno has stopped development with two assistant archaeologists and two tailed mitigation excavations at sites DiPu at the site and left the midden basically members of the Nemiah Indian Band, car­ 16 and 17 on Bull River in the East Kootenay intact. ried out archaeological survey and testing region. Of twelve burials uncovered, nine were in the vicinity of Fish Lake (EiRv). The Another major excavation is scheduled removed. The nine excavated burials were work was undercontractfrom Taseko Mines for the Lytton area this fall, and the reports reinterred on the site by the Nanairno Band. Ltd. who are currently carrying out testing on the results of the detailed excavations at The cultural material recovered will be and assessment for a copper and gold mine sites EeQw 2 and 21 will be completed by analyzed during the fall in the immediate area. the end of this year. ------~--~------NEW PUBLICATIONS

To the Charlottes: George M. Dawson's 1878 Survey of the Queen Charlotte Islands edited by DOUGLAS COLE and BRADLEY LOCKNER U.B.C. Press, 1993. 192 pp. $19.95 (paper)

Dawson's reports and private journals on his fieldwork for the Geological Survey of Canada discuss the natural history and Haida culture of Haida Gwaii.

Proboscidean and Paleoindian Interactions from Symposium on "Mammoths, Mastadons and Human Interaction" Book Department, Baylor University Bookstore, P.O. Box 6325, Waco, TX 76706-6325, 19?? 233 pp., illus US$28.00 (plus $3 postage & handling)

A collection of papers from the symposium, and recent research findings concerning megafauna! behaviours that would have been known and utilized by hunters and gatherers throughout the New World; an attempt to answer some unresolved questions about the lifeways of people as they migrated from Asia to the New World.

Last Summer, Cont'd And Right Here at The Gulf Islands Home More highway reconstruction. This time An impact assessment by Areas Con­ where pipes had been driven through. Ex­ at Ganges on Saltspring Island. Areas was sulting Archaeologists Ltd for prospective cavation of the basement for the new house contracted to mitigate the impact that development of a residential lot at Locamo was monitored as well. might be caused by proposed reconstruc­ Beach (DhRt 6) revealed well-stratified Norm Easton of the Montague Harbour tion at the junction of Upper and Lower intact midden with hearth features. Re­ underwater excavations (The Midden,June Ganges Roads (DfRu 3). The site, known search revealed that the lot in question was 1992) carried out research on ancient sea to the Saanich as Syuwets, is claimed by right next doorto Borden's type-site for the levels in English Bay during the excava­ the Cowichan and Saanich First Nations Locamo Beach phase which had been exca­ tion. Digging to 130 em into the beach sand people as traditional territory. vated in 1947/48. A mitigation excavation and sediments below the floors of the A crew of four archaeologists worked was undertaken by Areas during the week trenches to water level, he recovered scat­ for two weeks in July. Forty-two artifacts before the bulldozers came in to raze the tered chipped stone artifacts. included a Gulf Islands complex object existing house. More than 2000 artifacts were recov­ and antler haft. Dates (corrected) on ma­ A crew of nine, plus six volunteers from ered including five Gulf Island Complex rine shell were 1699±64 and 1699±64 BP. U.B.C. and S.F.U., were assisted by band objects, a labret, a dozen or so large ground Of the two boulder cairn burials, one members from Squamish and Musqueam slate points, and some Garibaldi ryodacit was a double burial containing two indi­ for the week-long excavation. About 30 flakes. Chipped dacit artifacts accounted viduals. A date from one of the burials was metres of trenches cutting down the length for approximately 90% of the assemblage. 777±60 BP. Other burials had also been of the lot and across its width were exca­ A complete set ofmatrix samples was saved found at the site in 1977 and 1988. vated by backhoe for 120-160 em until for future analyses. As a result of the response to the con­ sterile beach sand appeared at the bottom. Though the site, in the end, was de­ cerns of Saanich, the Ministry of High­ Shell was present but rare. Wherever the stroyed by the new house being built, es­ ways (MOTH) is considering rerouting to profiles exposed by the backhoe indicated sentially an extension of Borden's Locamo avoid impact to additional burials. heavy cultural activity, metre-square units Beach excavations was carried out With were excavated by hand until time ran out. the new methodologies that have evolved Deposits were more intact to the south since 1948, information lacking from than they were to the west underneath the Borden's Locamo Beach excavations can house that had been built1917. Most distur­ now be filled in. bance was to the north near Marine Drive ------~------CONFERENCES

1993 November 11-14 CHACMOOL "Debating Complexity" UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY, Alberta Contact: Chacmool, The 1993 Conference Committee, Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta TIN IN4. Tel: (403) 282-9567

November 20-21 B.C. ARCHAEOLOGY FORUM !O:OOam The Pub Seminar Room, SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, Burnaby, B.C. Programme Coordinators: Geordie Howe (tel.941-0708); Mike Rousseau (tel.467-3497)

1994 January 5-9 S.H.A. (The Society for Historic Archaeology) "Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology" HOTEL VANCOUVER, Vancouver, B.C. Contacts: ACUA Program Chair, Charles Moore (tel. 275-5427); SHA Program Chair, David Burley, Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6 ( tel.291-4196)

Aprill8-24 S.A.A. (Society for American Archaeologists) 59th Annual Meeting DISNEYLAND HOTEL, Anaheim, California

A.S.B.C. Executive 1993/94

President Reet Kana 263-8987 Past-president William Paull 980-5186 Vice-president Jim Lee 980-9580 Treasurer Katrina Froese 944-0250 Recording Secretary Tina van Galen 936-4066 Membership Secretary Marie Michaud 222-4655 Midden Editor Joyce Johnson 734-9496 Midden Subscriptions Katherine Merrick 946-3078 Socnotes Editor Don Bunyan 321-8127 Publicity Jim Lee 980-9580 Programmes Robin Hooper 946-8327 Library Terry Spurgeon 464-1984

------~.a~------T~MIDDEN P.O. Rox 520 Station A Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2N3