PORT ANGELES — Standing in an area of the state graving yard where her ancestors once cooked seafood in 300 A.D., Lower Elwha Klallam Chairwoman Frances G. Charles said she was overwhelmed by what had been found by archaeologists.
Earlier in the week, Lower Elwha officials learned through carbon dating of charcoal that the once thriving Klallam village named Tse-whit-zen was at least 1,700 years old.
“I am not surprised that the village was that old,” Charles said Friday.
“I thought it could be older and think as we dig down we may find older items.
“What I am surprised about is how much we are finding.”
Charles said the remains of more than 100 people have been uncovered at the waterfront site and said more are expected to be found.
A longhouse, racks for drying fish and kitchen-like areas used to prepare food have been identified — and hundreds of artifacts ranging from ancient charcoal and stone tools to ornate hair combs and harpoons have been uncovered.
Charles said each day at the site tribal members discover something new about their culture.
Rocks with symbols scratched into them are being found which are believed to commemorate events such as births and deaths.
Whale bone
A large whale bone found in a cooking area shows the Klallam hunted whales for meat to feed their families, Charles said.
She pointed to different features in a “kitchenette area” on Friday, including remnants of a cedar box which was found about three weeks ago.
“Cedar boxes were used as a refrigerator to keep things cool,” she said.
She added:
“We are still finding remains.
“We have more than 70 fully intact ancestors — and if you count all of the partial remains, there are 100 and counting.
“We knew we would find remains, but reaching 100 was not expected.”