X̲á: ytem
X̲á: ytem and the Xá: ytem Longhouse Interpretive Center are an archaeological site and museum in the Canadian province of British Columbia . It is in mission and focuses on the history and culture of the Indians on the lower Fraser River , especially the Stó: lō , who culturally belong to the coastal Salish .
The interpretive center goes back to archaeological digs that began in 1990 east of Mission. Its director was Gordon Mohs, who acted on behalf of the Sto: lo. The approximately 16,000 finds were so significant that just two years later, on June 4, 1992, the Canadian government declared the site a National Historic Site of Canada . In 1993 the province acquired the 18 acre area from Harry Utzig, the owner. Since then, over 350 archaeological sites and another 200 holy places have been registered in the traditional Sto: lo area.
There are also local myths, such as the Stó: lo myth of three of their respected leaders, that of Xexá: ls - the Transformer - as a punishment for not wanting to share their knowledge of the written language from the Great Spirit turned to stone. Xá: ytem therefore still contains the shxweli (life force or spirit) of the three men.
The site mainly contained relics from the Charles phase (3500-1300 BC), but some finds also go back to what Knut Fladmark called the Lithic Stage (approx. 7000-3500 BC). This makes it one of the few sites of this age in Western Canada.
The institution was originally founded by the Friends of Hatzic Rock Society , which is now called the XÁ: YTEM Siyaye Society .
The center offers a variety of learning programs for students and pupils, working with Simon Fraser University in Burnaby and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver .
See also
Web links
Remarks
- ↑ Xá: ytem / Hatzic Rock National Historic Site of Canada , Canadian Register of Historic Places.
Coordinates: 49 ° 9 ′ 5 ″ N , 122 ° 15 ′ 6 ″ W.