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Exploring Coast Salish Prehistory: The Archaeology of San Juan Island
Every year thousands of people visit the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. With a copy of Exploring Coast Salish Prehistory in hand, they will enjoy an introduction both to archaeology in general and to sites within San Juan Island National Historic Park.
The Coast Salish people inhabited the San Juans for 5,000 years. One important site on San Juan Island, Cattle Point, was a summer camp where residents engaged in fishing and shellfish harvesting. Native peoples' recollections of activities there have been confirmed by physical evidence in the form of shell middens, fish bones, and other artifacts.
Another San Juan site, English Camp, was a winter village site for 2,000 years. Structural remains provide insight into how people's lives and activities changed over time. Tools found at the site have allowed archaeologists to deduce that early residents ate camas bulbs and other plants, engaged in woodworking, weaving, fishing, and carving, and manufactured and used stone tools.
Stein's discussions of the sites and archaeological practices are enhanced by numerous illustrations. Clear photos of different types of artifacts, topographical maps, and other images help the reader to understand how people lived in the San Juans thousands of years ago.
The Coast Salish people inhabited the San Juans for 5,000 years. One important site on San Juan Island, Cattle Point, was a summer camp where residents engaged in fishing and shellfish harvesting. Native peoples' recollections of activities there have been confirmed by physical evidence in the form of shell middens, fish bones, and other artifacts.
Another San Juan site, English Camp, was a winter village site for 2,000 years. Structural remains provide insight into how people's lives and activities changed over time. Tools found at the site have allowed archaeologists to deduce that early residents ate camas bulbs and other plants, engaged in woodworking, weaving, fishing, and carving, and manufactured and used stone tools.
Stein's discussions of the sites and archaeological practices are enhanced by numerous illustrations. Clear photos of different types of artifacts, topographical maps, and other images help the reader to understand how people lived in the San Juans thousands of years ago.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 30, 2017
A study that describes the archaeology of San Juan Island, in particular the Cattle Pointe Site and the English Camp Site. This text is shorter (around 100 pages) but is no doubt of interest if you're interested in Coastal Salish prehistory. In the introduction there is a good "overview" that explains how archaeologists attempt to piece together prehistory, but throughout the text there are areas where the author points out possible limitations to archaeological studies. Using contemporary interviews with several groups of American Indian peoples, there are other areas where the study pieces together bits of information from oral stories that have been passed down.
A good starting point for those interested in Coast Salish, the San Juan Islands, or just have a curiosity for easy-to-read and easy-to-follow archaeological studies.
A good starting point for those interested in Coast Salish, the San Juan Islands, or just have a curiosity for easy-to-read and easy-to-follow archaeological studies.
April 14, 2018
Excellent introduction to archaeology & early Coast Salish life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews