Chance Find Management Procedures for the Village of Queen Charlotte

Transcription

1 Chance Find Management Procedures for the Village of Queen Charlotte Prepared for: The Village of Queen Charlotte P.O. Box A Oceanview Drive Queen Charlotte, BC V0T 1S0 By: Kleanza Consulting Ltd. December 21, 2015

2 Executive Summary Kleanza Consulting Ltd. (Kleanza) has prepared this Chance Find Management Procedures (CFMP) for proposed developments within the Village of Queen Charlotte, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. The purpose of this document is to address the possibility of encountering archaeological materials during ground altering activities. Protocols are provided to follow in the case of a chance archaeological find, ensuring that archaeological sites are documented and protected as required. Information on how to identify common types of archaeological materials is provided. The purpose of this document is to address the possibility of archaeological materials becoming exposed or encountered during ground altering activities associated with the construction and maintenance of various utilities and infrastructure within the Village. Protocols are provided in this plan in the event of a chance find, ensuring that archaeological and cultural materials are documented and protected as required. The CFMP includes a detailed protocol for STOP WORK procedures, and a list of appropriate authorities to contact. All personnel working within the Village should review and follow the procedures outlined in this plan. In British Columbia, all archaeological sites that pre-date 1846 are protected by The Heritage Conservation Act (HCA), whether on Provincial, Crown, Municipal, or private land. Archaeological sites are the physical remains of past human activity. Burials, ship wrecks, plane wrecks, First Nation rock art sites, and sites which have been designated by the provincial government are protected regardless of age (BCAPA, 2010). The majority of the province has not yet been surveyed for archaeological sites and thus most archaeological sites have not been recorded. The Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) provides substantial penalties for destruction or unauthorized disturbance of archaeological sites including imprisonment for up to two years and fines of up to $1,000,000 (Archaeology Branch, 2010). Protected archaeological sites can only be altered under a Section 12 Alteration Permit issued by the Archaeology Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. It is recommended that due to the archaeological potential present in the Village, all personnel and contractors should be informed of the CFMP and have access to a copy while any development is taking place. 2

3 Table of Contents Introduction... 4 General... 4 Objectives... 4 Archaeological Sites... 4 Relevant Legislation... 5 Archaeological Materials... 5 Archaeological Material Identification... 5 Artifacts... 5 Cultural Deposits... 9 Wet Site Deposits Burials Trails Cultural Depressions Rock Art Intertidal Features Changing Sea Levels Archaeological Chance Find Procedure Contacts References Cited Figure

4 Introduction General Kleanza Consulting Ltd. (KLEANZA) has prepared this Chance Find Management Procedure (CFMP) on behalf of the Village of Queen Charlotte, Haida Gwaii, BC (the Village). The purpose of this document is to address the possibility of archaeological materials becoming exposed or encountered during ground altering activities associated with the construction and maintenance of various utilities and infrastructure within the Village. Protocols are provided in this plan in the event of a chance find, ensuring that archaeological and cultural materials are documented and protected as required. The CFMP includes a detailed protocol for STOP WORK procedures, and a list of appropriate authorities to contact. All personnel working within the Village should review and follow the procedures outlined in this plan. Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) are not likely to be encountered within the Village, and as the land has been logged and cleared, therefore CMTs will NOT be discussed in this plan. The Village falls within asserted traditional territory of the Haida Nation. Objectives This CFMP aims to promote the preservation of archaeological and other heritage sites, while minimizing the disruption of development scheduling. This plan should be reviewed by all personnel working onsite prior to commencement of construction, preferably during the prework or development initiation program. If followed, this plan will ensure that all personnel involved in construction activities are aware that: Archaeological resources are protected by law on Provincial land; Any archaeological materials or human remains encountered during construction must be reported immediately; and a STOP WORK procedure must be implemented immediately, should any artifacts, cultural materials, or remains be encountered. Archaeological Sites Any land-altering developments have the potential to impact archaeological and cultural materials. Such developments include the excavation, movement, or disturbance of soils. Anticipated activities within the Village such as excavation, movement, and removal of sediments for subsurface development, drainage of standing water, and land clearing, all have the potential to negatively impact archaeological and cultural materials.

5 The majority of recorded archaeological sites within the Village of Queen Charlotte are shell middens or shell processing areas (Figure 1). Some of these deposits also include human remains. Relevant Legislation Archaeological sites are the physical remains of past human activity. In British Columbia, all archaeological sites that pre-date 1846 are protected by The Heritage Conservation Act (HCA), whether on Provincial, Crown, Municipal, or private land. Burials, ship wrecks, plane wrecks, First Nation rock art sites, and sites which have been designated by the provincial government are protected regardless of age (BCAPA, 2010). The majority of the province has not yet been surveyed for archaeological sites and thus most archaeological sites have not been recorded. The Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) provides substantial penalties for the destruction or unauthorized disturbance of archaeological sites including imprisonment for up to two years and fines of up to $1,000,000 (Archaeology Branch, 2010). Protected archaeological sites can only be altered under a Section 12 Site Alteration Permit issued by the Archaeology Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. It is our understanding that the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) are in the process of developing their own archaeological protocols and permitting system. It is best to consult with the CHN prior to the commencement of development to ensure all requirements are being fulfilled. Archaeological Materials Archaeological Material Identification There are several common types of archaeological materials and features that may indicate the presence of an archaeological site. Common components of archaeological sites that may be encountered in the Village include artifacts, cultural deposits, and rock art. Artifacts Artifacts refer to any objects created or modified by humans, and may be made of stone, bone, antler or wood. Stone artifacts are the most common type of artifact typically encountered in Haida Gwaii, as bone and wood preservation is poor due to acidic soils. Stone artifacts include formed tools created by flaking or chipping stone, such as arrowheads, knives, scrapers, choppers (Photo 1). Bone artifacts may include a variety of tools made out of worked bone, such as needles, knives, points, awls and scrapers (Photo 2). Some formed tools, such as woodworking tools, consist of ground stone that include adze blades, chisels and hand mauls (Photo 3). Ground or pecked stone artifacts are made out of a variety of raw materials, including dacite, quartzite, slate and nephrite (also known as native jade ) (Photo 3). Stone artifacts 5

6 may also consist of flakes of chipped stone, the waste products from creating flaked stone tools (Photo 4). Flakes of stone are usually the most common type of stone artifact encountered. Stone artifacts in this region (the northwest coast of North America) were typically made of basalt, which is hard igneous rock, ranging in colour from grey to black (Photo 4). On Haida Gwaii, agate is also a common material used for stone tools. Artifacts made of obsidian, white quartz, or chert (Photo 6) have also been found in the region, but are not as common as the basalt artifacts. Be aware of concentrations of stone not native to the area, such as obsidian which is a type of volcanic glass, typically black, but may be a variety of other colours (red, green blue) and identified by its distinctive shiny, glass-like appearance (Photo 5). Chert is a dense, fine-grained rock, with a smooth, waxy appearance (Photo 6). It comes in a variety of colours, including white, pink, brown, grey and blue-grey. The presence of flakes of basalt, chert or obsidian is a good indicator of an archaeological site.. Photo 1: Examples of stone tools (bifaces), also referred to as lithics (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). 6

7 Photo 2: Examples of worked bone artifacts (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). Photo 3: Example of a ground stone artifact (partial maul) (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). 7

8 Photo 4: A variety of flakes, including basalt and chert (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). Photo 5: Examples of obsidian flakes (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). 8

9 Photo 6: Example of a chert flake (photo credit: Mike Ross). Cultural Deposits Distinct layers of cultural deposits are often associated with archaeological sites. These include buried ground surfaces that show evidence of being heavily used in the past, such as house-floors, occupation areas and activity areas. These types of cultural deposits can all be identified by a linear subsurface concentration of one or more of the following; charcoal, fire-reddened soil, rich layers of organic material and/or fire-altered rock (Photo 7). Photo 7: Example of subsurface cultural deposits layer/stratum. Note band of fire-reddened soil (photo credit: Amanda Marshall). Another type of distinct cultural deposit is the shell midden or shell processing area. Shell middens are characterized by the presence of fragmented or whole shell suspended in dark brown greasy organic rich matrix, which commonly contain charcoal, ash, fire cracked rock and burnt sediments, as well as stone, bone, shell 9

10 and antler artifacts. Shell midden deposits vary from small pockets to very large sites several hundred meters square and are usually, but not always, found along or near the shoreline. A typical example of shell midden or shell processing area is shown in Photo 8. Photo 8: Example of shell midden and associated organic material, indicated by black, greasy sediment and thick, sharp shell deposits (photo credit: Naomi Smethurst). Cultural deposits are a helpful indicators of the presence of past habitation sites, such as village sites or temporary camps. Some additional features found in tandem with the above mentioned cultural deposits are cache pits (rectangular or circular pits in the ground), post moulds (indicating a past structure), hearth features, tent platforms and rectangular house depressions (discussed below). Wet Site Deposits Wet sites are typically associated within peat or water saturated silt areas. Wet sites preserve organic artifacts that typically degrade in non-wet sites. Artifacts that are typically found in wet sites include but are not limited to basketry, string and rope, wooden tools, weapons, sporting equipment, and cordage. Burials Any physical human remains, rectangular depressions, whole or fragmented cedar box remnants or rock cairns may be an indication of a burial site. Cremations may be represented by dense concentrations of charcoal, ash and fire cracked rock. 10

11 Trails Aboriginal transportation routes and trade of economic resources were vital to the survival of both the early and historic inhabitants of the Haida Gwaii region. Trails formed some of the travel and communication networks of the region; allowing people to travel, trade, interact, and access hunting, harvesting, fishing, trapping and gathering areas. Centuries of foot travel along these routes resulted in well-defined and compacted soil impressions (Photo 9). Although, on Haida Gwaii, these trails likely became quickly overgrown when not in constant use. Rock cairns, blazed trees and other markers may also help define trails. Trails are also correlated with other types of archaeological sites, such as temporary camp sites, fishing locations and villages. Photo 9: Example of a trail-bed (photo credit: Amanda Marshall) Cultural Depressions Cultural depressions are not often encountered on Haida Gwaii, whether due to lack of use, or due to the heavy humic buildup associated with the temperate rainforest. Cultural depressions typically refer to cache pits, which were used in the past to store large quantities of salmon and other foods for later use during the winter. These pits are usually found on well-drained ground, are round or rectangular in shape and typically have a well-defined rim surrounding their perimeter (Photo 10). Round cultural depressions may also be roasting pits. Concentrations of charcoal, ash and fire-cracked rocks, may indicate a depression was used as a roasting pit (Photo 11). 11

12 Photo 10: Example of a round cache pit. (photo credit: Amanda Marshall) Photo11: Profile of an excavated roasting pit. This pit was lined with a band of charcoal and fire-reddened soil, and was later partially filled in by flood-deposits (silts). (photo credit: Amanda Marshall). Tree-throws may also produce similar sized depressions, but do not display the well-defined rim and symmetrical shape of a cultural depression. Tree-throws, instead, usually have a mound on one side of the depression. 12

13 Rock Art Rock art consists of two major categories: pictographs (drawings or designs painted on rock; Photo 12) and petrogylphs (drawings or designs pecked or carved into rock; Photo 13). It is possible both pictographs and petrogylphs may be encountered in the Village. Typically rock art is found on large rock faces, or on large boulders. Designs could depict animals, humans, or a wide variety of geometric shapes. Pictographs were typically drawn with organic based paints, made by combining ochre (a reddish orange mineral) or charcoal with grease. Photo 12: Example of pictograph, painted with red ochre (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). Photo 13 Example of a petroglyph (photo credit: Amanda Crawford). Intertidal Features Intertidal zones have commonly been used in coastal areas for a multitude of purposes; whether gathering shellfish and octopus to eat, or manufacturing canoes. Physical evidence of such usage is rare, but can be seen in the form of canoe runs (lines of rocks cleared to allow safe canoe landing), fish weirs (often near the 13

14 mouths of salmon producing creeks), and clam gardens (cleared areas with lower intertidal walls to create greater shellfish producing areas). Changing Sea Levels Due to the unique situation of Haida Gwaii, relative changing sea levels over the past 14,000 years have affected the location of a variety of site-types outlined above. For example, a shell midden expected to be identified on the modern shoreline, may now be stranded 10 to 15 m above sea level and over 500 m inland. Conversely, a resource processing lithic site over 10,000 years old may now be present up to 140 ft below sea level. 14

15 Archaeological Chance Find Procedure If personnel involved in construction activities in the project area believe they have encountered any potential archaeological materials, features, or human remains they should STOP WORK in the vicinity of the find and follow the procedures outlined below: 1) STOP all construction activities in the vicinity of the archaeological find immediately! 2) Contact your site foreman or supervisor immediately. 3) Accurately record the locations of the find, using a GPS or smartphone if available. Ask your supervisor to take a photo of the find (with a hardhat, glove, or other object as a scale reference). Mark the location clearly, using flagging tape if possible. Leave all archaeological materials and remains in place. 4) Contact a qualified archaeologist (Kleanza) immediately. 5) A qualified archaeologist will assess the potential significance of the archaeological find and mitigative options will be identified accordingly. This work is being conducted under a Site Alteration Permit issued by the Archaeology Branch, and mitigative options are outlined in the permit. 6) If human remains are found, the archaeologist will contact the RCMP and local Coroner s Office immediately (Archaeology Branch 1999). If the coroner, possibly with the assistance of the archaeologist, assesses the remains to be archaeological and not of forensic concern, the Archaeology Branch and The Council of the Haida Nation will be consulted to determine how to handle them. Options may include avoidance or respectful removal and reburial. 7) The qualified archaeologist (Kleanza) will inform the project lead when work may recommence in the vicinity of the find. They will also inform the Village of Queen Charlotte of any mitigative measures to be taken, if necessary. 15

16 Contacts Village of Queen Charlotte Lori Wiedeman Phone: Cell: Fax: Web: Kleanza Consulting Ltd. Amanda Marshall, MA, RPCA Phone: Jo Brunsden, MA, RPCA Phone: Archaeology Branch Steven Acheson, Manager Phone:

17 References Cited Archaeology Branch (1999). Found Human Remains. On file with the Archaeology Branch, Victoria, BC. From Archaeology Branch (2010). Heritage Conservation Act (RSBC 1996). On file with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts, Victoria, BC. From _01 BCAPA (BC Association of Professional Archaeologists) (2010). Archaeology in British Columbia. From 17

18 FhUa FhUa-88 FhUa-87 FhUa-75 FhUa-64 FhUa-66 FhUa-65 FhUa-80 FhUa-85 FhUa-83 FhUa-74 FhUa-84 FhUa-73 FhUa-82 FhUa-67 FhUa-81 Chinukundl Creek FhUa-115 FhUa-114 FhUa-113 FhUa-116 FhUa FhUa-118 FhUa Tarundl Creek H o n n a R i v e r C r a b a p p l e B r o o k FhUa-59 FhUa-57 G o r e B r o o k FhUa-52 FhUa-111 C r e e k P r e m i e r Queen Charlotte City FhUa-54 FhUa-58 FhUa FhUa-50 FhUa-15 FhUa-108 FhUa-16 FhUa-1 FhUa-60 FhUa-1 S k i d e g a t e Robertson Island I n l e t FhUa-55 Roderick Island B e a r s k i n B a y FhUa-18 FhUa-11 FhUa-7 FhTx-19 FhTx-1 FhUa-4 FhUa Meyer Island Burnt Island FhUa-51 FhUb-33 FhUa-49 FhUa-45 FhUa-46 FhUa-17 FhUa-44 FhUa-37 FhUa-16 FhUa-16 FhUa-43 FhUa-8 FhUa-38 FhUa-48 FhUa-47 FhUa-36 Lina Island FhUa-5 FhUa-42 FhUa-41 FhUa-40 FhUa-39 FhUa-9 S k i d e g a t e I n l e t FhUa-10 Balch Islands FhUa-99 FhUa-98. Project Area Location Village of Queen Charlotte Kleanza Consulting Ltd Kleanza Drive Terrace, BC V8G 0A7 Previously Recorded Archaeological Site Village of Queen Charlotte Kilometers 1:45, W:\esridata\dkm\Kleanza\15-42 Village of Queen Charlotte\Queen_Charlotte_Fig1.mxd