A team of students discovered ruins of an ancient village in Canada that predates the Egyptian pyramids by more than three times. The team uncovered evidence supporting the oral history of the Heiltsuk people, who sought shelter on Triquet Island during the Ice Age. The settlement, estimated to be 14,000 years old, revealed ancient artifacts like spears, fish hooks, and tools for launching projectiles.
Discovering an Ancient Heiltsuk Nation’s Settlement
Alisha Gauvreau, a Ph.D. student of anthropology at the University of Victoria, led the excavation alongside Heiltsuk members. The findings, including a prehistoric hearth layer dating back 14,000 years, support theories of ancient migration along the British Columbia coastline. Gauvreau stated that the discovery adds significant evidence to the idea that early North Americans were sea mammal hunters who traveled by boat.
Proving the Heiltsuk Nation’s Oral History
Gauvreau emphasized that this discovery challenges existing ideas about the peopling of North America, validating oral histories through archaeological evidence. William Housty of the Heiltsuk Nation described the find as pivotal, affirming their historical narratives and potentially aiding in land rights negotiations.
About the Heiltsuk Nation
The Heiltsuk Territory in British Columbia holds rich oral traditions, with ancestral connections to the land stretching back generations. These archaeological findings provide scientific validation of these longstanding claims. The Heiltsuk laws, known as Gvi’ilas, emphasize sustainability, respect for resources, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Sources
- Gabe Paoletti. Ancient Ruins Older Than The Pyramids Discovered In Canada. All That Is Interesting. September 6, 2017
- Jon Sharman. Ancient Canadian village discovered that’s older than the pyramids. Independent. September 6, 2017
- Brigit Katz. Found: One of the Oldest North American Settlements. Smithsonian Magazine. April 5, 2017
- Leanna Garfield. A student found an ancient Canadian village that’s 10,000 years older than the Pyramids. Business Insider. September 5, 2017
- Nick Wells. B.C. university student helps unearth 14,000 year-old village. CTV News. April 7, 2017
- Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance. Heiltsuk Nation.
