When I meet new people, they are usually surprised to learn that I am an archaeologist. This surprise typically turns into curiosity—one of the questions I’m commonly asked, is “OK, so what do you actually do?”
Most archaeologists in BC, and indeed all of the contributors to this column, work in the cultural resource management industry. Cultural resource management—usually shortened to ‘CRM’—is the work conducted by archaeologists and others to navigate the complex and often confusing array of legislation, rules, and bureaucracy that protect archaeological sites, while working to find ways to facilitate the developments proposed by our clients. Our clients may be anyone whose work has the potential to damage or destroy BC’s archaeological heritage, but we most commonly work in the forestry, mining, transportation and energy sectors. Hundreds of British Columbians are employed in CRM, and many more people work in CRM across Canada.
The Archaeology Branch works to oversee archaeological research in BC, and to enforce the Heritage Conservation Act. CRM archaeologists are guided by the rules, regulations and policies established by the Archeology Branch. Indeed, we cannot conduct most kinds of archaeological work without a permit from the Archaeology Branch.
The Branch also works with proponents to ensure their developments don’t violate the Act, by working with developers, CRM archaeologists and First Nations to develop a plan to mitigate damage to archaeological sites when conflicts between development and archaeological resources cannot be avoided. In these circumstances, developers require a special permit from the Branch called a Site Alteration Permit.
As the name implies, Site Alteration Permits allow a specific development to proceed in a manner that alters the archaeological site or sites in conflict with it. These permits absolve developers of the consequences of illegal site destruction but include a variety of conditions relating to how the development can proceed. Typically, these permits require two related things: modified construction techniques, and archaeological monitoring.
Archaeological monitoring involves carefully and systematically watching construction excavations so that work can be paused when archaeological materials are encountered. It usually involves screening or raking through the displaced sediments to look for artifacts. And if significant discoveries are made, work is paused while the archaeology crew dig excavation units by hand to collect related data, artifacts and samples.
We do a LOT of archaeological monitoring. Because we work in proximity to heavy machinery like excavator, backhoes and graders, this work requires full PPE. Its often very dusty and very hot. And when you`re not finding much, it can be repetitive and boring. But every now and then we discover something significant, or unanticipated, and then it’s all worth while. We jump into high gear, excavating units, collecting artifacts and samples, and work hard to gather good data while not subjecting our projects to undue delays.
Many projects around Kamloops have included CRM archaeologists monitoring construction. These include upgrades to Highway 1 east of town, and the Victoria Street West improvement project in our downtown. The Victoria Street West project made the news when the archaeological monitors working there discovered prehistoric human remains during construction excavations last summer. Because the project included archaeological monitors, and because protocols regarding the discovery of archaeological resources, including human remains, had been established ahead of the project, this situation was managed in a manner that was consistent with the Heritage Conservation Act, was respectful of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc concerns, and did not result in significant project delays.
The next time you drive past a construction project and you see folks in hard hats and high-viz vests who look like they’re just standing around, you may in fact be witnessing the laser-like focus of a local CRM archaeologist, as he or she monitors the construction excavations going on around them.