LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM Tribal Chairwoman Frances G. Charles says a pit containing 14 human skulls has been uncovered at the graving yard site.
The discovery was made last week by archaeologists and tribal members working to complete an archaeological excavation at the waterfront property.
“The skulls were placed very carefully into a pit, and were all teenagers to young adults when buried,”‘ Charles said.
It is unknown if the skulls are male or female.
Charles said tribal members and archaeologists will continue to study the discovery.
“It is related to ancient beliefs,” Charles said, but would not elaborate what those beliefs could be.
This is the first mass grave to contain only skulls at the 22.5-acre site.
The state Department of Transportation’s graving yard, located along Port Angeles Harbor, is the former home of a 1,700-year-old Klallam village named Tse-whit-zen.
Charles said the pit containing the skulls was five to eight feet deep and within the original beach line.
“The pit is in an area close to the features of a longhouse,” she said.
“We are still excavating the area and don’t know if there are any additional skulls located under what we have found.”
Charles said tribal members are crafting a special cedar burial box to hold the skulls so they can be interred alongside other human remains uncovered at the graving yard.
Brenda Hanrahan,
Peninsula Daily News