An archaeological impact assessment of Shelter Point Park on Texada Island has found that the site contains some of the best-preserved habitation features from large villages currently known on the central or south northwest coast.
The assessment impacts how the Powell River Regional District will proceed with replacing the caretaker residence and concession at the park which was destroyed by fire in September 2012, as well as how it addresses maintenance and upkeep. “As proven by this study, this site is historically significant and the regional district must respect all regulations regarding its preservation,” according to a statement posted on the regional district’s website.
As part of the process to replace the caretaker residence and concession, the regional district hired Colleen Parsley of Aquilla Archaeology to undertake the archaeological impact assessment. The park is a known archaeological site, originally recorded in 1971. At that time, it was estimated that the site was 50 by 20 metres. After the assessment, the area of the site was increased to 442 by 175 metres.
The report indicates the site is a large permanent village location likely dating to and in use for at least the last 3,300 years.
Over 50 per cent of the subsurface shovel tests and 40 per cent of the backhoe tests were positive for subsurface cultural material. A total of 279 stone tools, 195 remains of animals and 15 historic artifacts were collected during the study. One culturally modified tree was positively identified and two additional trees with modifications of unknown age were noted.
The report also indicates that there is “rare evidence of an estimated six to 12 well-developed house depressions and mounds, representing former habitation structures,” in the northern section of the park.
“Results from this assessment study show the Shelter Point site is a large village site with large intact habitation features and with varying cultural deposits occurring throughout the site,” the report states.
As well, study results of the site “provide the basis for assigning the highest scientific significance to this archaeological site.”
The study indicates that current and historic uses of the study area have significantly impacted the site. It is reported that the regional district’s proposed development plans to replace the caretaker home and concession stand as well as to install a new septic system for these facilities will “significantly further impact portions of the archaeological site.” Trenching required for the installation of the new sewer line may potentially “conflict with possibly intact and potentially the oldest occupations of the site.”
Two options were provided in the study. Both require the completion of detailed mapping. The first option is to relocate the caretaker home and concession outside of the updated archaeological site boundary. If the regional district chooses to locate the facilities in the proposed location, the second option recommends digging excavation units before construction begins. If any archaeological material is encountered, work should stop and the Archaeology Branch and respective first nations communities should be contacted immediately.
The report will be presented to the regional district’s committee-of-the-whole meeting on November 14, when it will become available to the public.
“Although the board will decide how the regional district will proceed, in light of this report, it is apparent that further time and/or money will potentially be required to meet the challenges we face to operate Shelter Point Park,” the statement concluded.
The statement is available on the regional district’s website.
