28 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Over 70 Archaeological Sites Identified in Canada’s Chilcotin Region, Uncovering Secwépemc Pit Houses Over 4,000 Years Old

Recent archaeological findings indicate that the Secwépemc people’s historical presence in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia, Canada, is more extensive than previously believed. This research, conducted by the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN), Esk’etemc, and Inlailawatash LP, was initiated as an urgent response to the Chilcotin Landslide, aiming to collect and preserve vital historical data at risk of being lost.

Whitney Spearing, WLFN’s Director of Natural Resources, emphasized the importance of the study, stating, “Every site we identify, every piece of history we document, is a step toward reclaiming and preserving our story.”

In the first phase of the study, a total of 70 archaeological sites were identified, including 31 pre-contact Secwépemc villages and seven sites with sacred features. Alarmingly, 49% of these sites have been impacted by recent natural events, such as the Chilcotin Landslide and the 2017 wildfires.

The study commenced immediately after the landslide on July 31, 2024, with sites of interest identified from Hanceville to the mouth of the Chilcotin River (Pesxenmétkwe) using GIS modeling, LiDAR scans, and visual assessments. Fieldwork was conducted from August 15 to November 29.

Among the sites facing significant damage are Tecwilúps, Nexelp, and Kwomesken’s Village, three of the four main Secwépemc villages historically located along Kwellk̓ém̓t (also known as Farwell Canyon). Notably, some sites identified in this phase have never been formally documented before.

Spearing remarked, “We always knew there were more than just the four main village sites referenced in Teit’s work,” referring to the prominent ethnographer who cataloged Secwépemc sites in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Pit house, Secwepemc Heritage Park. Credit: Bonnie Leonard (SNTC)
Pit house, Secwepemc Heritage Park. Credit: Bonnie Leonard (SNTC)

The historical record highlights the Secwépemc communities in the canyon, collectively known as Ste’tlemc, as a significant trading force within the Secwépemc Nation. The archaeological evidence confirms their presence for over 4,000 years. “These pit houses are older than the pyramids… It’s astonishing to think that so much of this history remained hidden until now,” Spearing noted, expressing her amazement at the size and number of villages uncovered.

These findings not only reshape the understanding of the past but also reaffirm the deep connection of the Secwépemc people to their land. The communities faced devastation from smallpox in the 1860s, and in 1963, some Esk’etemc houses were burned down, forcing survivors to flee to smaller neighboring villages.

WLFN Chief Willie Sellars emphasized the broader significance of the study, stating, “This work is about more than archaeology. It’s about honoring the stories of our Elders, protecting the places that hold the spirit of our people, and ensuring that future generations can walk these lands with the same understanding and connection.”

As the study moves into its second phase, the focus will shift to further field research, assessing damage to cultural sites, and developing plans for recovery and protection against future natural disasters. Sellars affirmed, “Williams Lake First Nation is committed to working in the spirit of unity and respect to safeguard these cultural sites and strengthen our relationships with all those who share in the responsibility of caring for this land.”

The second phase aims to involve the broader Secwépemc Nation and other First Nation communities in collaborative efforts to help recover sites and respond to future challenges. The release notes, “Secwépemc people have lived alongside the Tŝilhqot’in for hundreds of years, each with deep connections to the land.”

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government has declined to comment on WLFN’s release.

Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN)

Cover Image Credit: Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN)

Related Articles

Evidence of a Roman shrine dating back was discovered during dig at Leicester Cathedral

7 March 2023

7 March 2023

Excavations by the University of Leicester archaeologists for have uncovered evidence that the site of Leicester Cathedral has been used...

1,600-Year-Old Rare Greek Letter-Shaped Weights and Scale Found in Türkiye’s Uzuncaburç

9 July 2025

9 July 2025

Archaeologists have made a significant discovery at the ancient city of Uzuncaburç in Türkiye’s southern Mersin province — a complete...

4,500-Year-Old Harappan Settlement Unearthed in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert

31 July 2025

31 July 2025

Archaeologists uncover the first-ever Harappan site in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert near the Pakistan border, expanding the known geographical reach of...

14,000-year-old settlement discovered in western Turkey

26 November 2021

26 November 2021

During the rescue excavation carried out in a cave in Dikili, İzmir, in western Turkey, 14 thousand-year-old stone tools and...

Archaeologists find remains of Norman Bridge during dig in Chichester’s Priory Park, England

1 June 2024

1 June 2024

During an excavation in West Sussex, England, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a military causeway, or bridge, that led to...

Carvings at Göbeklitepe could be World’s Oldest Calendar

6 August 2024

6 August 2024

Experts suggest that markings on a stone pillar at the 12,000-year-old Göbeklitepe archaeological site in Türkiye probably represent the oldest...

Medieval subterranean corridors found by accident in northeast Iran

1 October 2022

1 October 2022

The workers working on a routine road construction project near Shahr-e Belqeys (City of Belqeys) in northeast Iran made an...

First European farmers’ heights did not meet expectations

9 April 2022

9 April 2022

A combined study of genetics and skeletal remains shows that the switch from primarily hunting, gathering and foraging to farming...

Ancient Curse Tablets Reveal Dark Spiritual Practices in the Roman Empire – and Their Echo in the Bible

17 June 2025

17 June 2025

New Research Connects Ritual Cursing to the Book of Revelation From jealous lovers to petty thieves, people in the ancient...

Uncovering the ritual past of ancient mustatils: Cult, herding, and ‘pilgrimage’ in the Late Neolithic of north-west Arabia

16 March 2023

16 March 2023

Mustatils—stone monuments from the Late Neolithic period thought to have been used for ritual purposes—have been the subject of new...

In Turkey’s Gedikkaya Cave, a stone figurine was discovered inside a 16,500-year-old votive pit

17 December 2022

17 December 2022

A stone figurine was discovered in a 16500-year-old votive pit belonging to the Epi-paleolithic period, the transition phase from the...

200 Feet to the Past: The Millennium-Old Mystery of the Himalayan Towers

8 May 2025

8 May 2025

In the remote and rugged landscapes of the Himalayas, a series of enigmatic structures known as the Himalayan Towers, or...

Italian Versailles being returned to its former glory through

17 May 2023

17 May 2023

The Italian Royal Palace of Caserta, a long-neglected near Naples, is being restored to its former glory through a vast...

A 1000-year-old Viking silver treasure found in Sweden

31 October 2022

31 October 2022

Archaeologists have discovered a 1,000-year-old silver Viking treasure at Täby, Viggbyholm, outside of Stockholm. The treasure was found during an...

The Ancient City of Miletos’s “Sacred Cave” Opened to Visitors

2 October 2021

2 October 2021

In the ancient city of Miletos, which had an important place in the advancement of philosophy, art, and science in...