Community Perceptions and Effects of the Bridge River Community Archaeological Project, 2012-2016

Summary

The Xwisten (Bridge River) community has had an ongoing collaborative relationship with the University of Montana, exploring the archaeology of the Bridge River Village, site Eerl4. The latest series of inquiries at the Bridge River Village focused on the excavation of Housepit 54, a single, mid-sized, semi-subterranean pithouse with 17 anthropogenic floors from occupations spanning 1800BP-ca. 1850’s CE. The goal of this research is to explore the perceptions of the discipline of archaeology, the dissemination throughout the community of archaeological findings and scientifically held beliefs regarding Housepit 54 and the ancient village, and the impacts that this project has had within the Xwisten and surrounding communities, including consideration of existing differences in world views and belief systems. The final outcome of the research is intended to facilitate greater understanding of conducting community collaboration, provide an opportunity to better understand community needs and desires with regards to archaeological research, and allow the Xwisten Community a place to provide feedback and valuation with regards to the experiences had as of the end of the 2016 field season and the final excavations at Housepit 54.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Complex Fisher-Foragers of the Interior Pacific Northwest: The Housepit 54 Project at Bridge River, British Columbia

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17272