Shell Midden - Victoria, BC - New World Ancient Evidence on Waymarking.com

This ancient pre-historic site is located in Victoria, British Columbia under the Gorge Bridge at the Gorge. Dating back 4120 years ago the area is called a Shell Midden. This is an area ancient native peoples would have disposed of their shells, bones and other refuse.

PLAQUE TEXT:
"ANCIENT SITE

DURING THE TIME OF THE BUILDING OF THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT
NATIVE PEOPLE WERE LIVING AT THIS LOCATION. THIS IS WHAT
ARCHAEOLOGISTS CALL A SHELL MIDDEN.

THE GROUND IS COMPOSED OF ANCIENT GARBAGE. FIRE ALTERED ROCK AND CHARCOAL LEFT OVER FROM PREPARING FOOD ARE MIXED WITH SHELL
REAMINS FROM OYSTER, MUSSEL, CLAMS AND CRABS. THE BONES OF FISH,
DEER AND SEALS; WASTE MATERIAL FROM MAKING STONE TOOLS; AND A
DECORATIVE ARTIFACT MADE OF A TYPE OF STONE TRADED FROM THE
FRASER RIVER CANYON WERE FOUND HERE.

A TEST EXCAVATION UNDERTAKEN BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS RESULTED IN THE
DATING OF THE DEPOSITS TO OVER 4120 YEARS AGO. THIS IS THE OLDEST
KNOWN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ON SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND. MUCH OF
THE SITE HAS BEEN DESTROYED MAKING IT NECESSARY TO PROTECT THIS
REMAINING PORTION.

PLEASE DO NOT DIG HERE. THESE DEPOSITS ARE LIKE RARE BOOKS
CONTAINING KNOWLEDGE OF A PAST ERA. IF YOU TEAR OUT THEIR PAGES
THEY ARE LOST FOREVER."

"ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEST PIT

THE UPPER ZONE OF THE MIDDEN IN THIS TEST PIT HAS A HIGH
CONCENTRATION OF SHELLFISH REMAINS AND CONTAINS HERRING BONES.

THE OLDER LOWER ZONE HAS A LOWER CONCENTRATION OF SHELLFISH
REMAINS AND DOES NOT CONTAIN HERRING BONES. THE LOWER ZONE
REPRESENTS A TIME WHEN OCEAN WATERS DID NOT EXTEND UP THE GORGE
PASSED [sic] THE FALLS."

Type: Ruins How did you find this "Ancient Evidence": Geocaching Terrain Rating: Trailhead: Not Listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/26/2022 The A-Team visited it