The Čḯxwicən project of Northwest Washington State, U.S.A.: Opportunity lost, opportunity found. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butler, Virginia L.; Bovy, Kristine M.; Campbell, Sarah K.; Etnier, Michael A.; Sterling, Sarah L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 23(2019)
• Page Start: 1095
• Page End: 1103
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Northwest coast archaeology -- Colonialism -- Human ecodynamics -- Coastal foragers -- Resilience; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.03.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Čḯx w icən (pronounced ch-WHEET-son) is a 2700 year-old ancestral village of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT), located on the northwest coast of Washington State, U.S.A. The Čḯx w icən project has scientific values that broadly contribute to research in human ecodynamics and maritime foragers, given the scale of the project, excavation methods, and enormous quantities of faunal materials recovered. The village holds great significance to the LEKT as their traditional village, which includes a sacred burial ground. The project began under challenging circumstances, when the village was inadvertently encountered during a construction project, incurring huge political, social and financial costs. Commitment by the LEKT and Čḯx w icən scholars and other partners turned an "opportunity lost" into an "opportunity found." This paper provides background to this remarkable site and project goals that guided the Čḯx w icən research project. The Special Issue papers showcase project results, including reflections by tribal members. Overall, the project shows the potential for archaeology and heritage to support reconciliation between tribes and archaeologists and broader society. Highlights: The Čḯx w icən village (45CA523) is one of the most intensively sampled coastal sites in Pacific Northwest North America. The site's inadvertent discovery and mitigation provide a window into colonial practices, which devalued Indigenous people. The mitigation project provided opportunity for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to renew links with an ancestral village. This paper introduces the Čḯx w icən site and project goals that serve as background for other papers in the Special Issue.