Once upon This Land: Archaeology in British Columbia and the Stories It Tells
Robert J. Muckle
Publisher: UBC Press, Purich Books
Book Description
With evidence of human habitation dating back 15,000 years to the last ice age, British Columbia boasts a fascinating array of famous and lesser-known archaeological sites. Across the province, archaeologists are changing how archaeology is practised by working in partnership with Indigenous and other descendant communities to document important cultural sites. In this up-to-date overview, professional archaeologist Robert Muckle visits sites around the province to explain what archaeology is (and isn’t), how research is undertaken in this province, and what it contributes to our broader understanding of human history.
Once upon This Land introduces readers to some of the most notable archaeological investigations, including footprints left in mud on Calvert Island 13,000 years ago, the remains of a large First Nations village near Lillooet, and the body of a man frozen in ice for centuries in the Tatshenshini region. He also investigates more recent phenomena, such as a fur-trade fort, remains of the gold rush, a First World War internment camp near Fernie, a Japanese logging camp in North Vancouver, shipwrecks, airplane crashes, and even the remnants of COVID-19 left behind in urban landfills.
This unique book will appeal to readers who want to understand how and where archaeology happens in British Columbia, including those interested in a career in the field. It is also for those who would like to explore and know more about the province’s archaeological sites and history.
Author Bio
Robert J. Muckle is a registered professional archaeologist who taught for many years in the Department of Anthropology at Capilano University. He has written several books, including The First Nations of British Columbia: An Anthropological Overview, Forgotten Things: The Story of the Seymour Valley Archaeology Project, and Indigenous Peoples of North America. He lives in the Greater Vancouver region.