[BCMA] Royal BC Museum archaeologist working with First Nations after Indigenous artifact is retrieved from local beach

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Jan. 27, 2021



Royal BC Museum archaeologist working with First Nations after Indigenous artifact is retrieved from local beach



VICTORIA, BC-Royal BC Museum curator of archaeology Grant Keddie has confirmed that a carved stone pillar found on a Victoria-region beach in the summer of 2020 is an Indigenous artifact, and will work with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to determine the most suitable home-temporary or permanent-for the discovery.



“It’s an exciting find and a clear reminder of the long history of our people living in this region,” said Chief Ron Sam of the Songhees Nation. “We are looking forward to learning much more about the stone.”



“We hope to find more in the future, maybe under the landslide or in the water just offshore,” said Chief Rob Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation. “Our hope is future discoveries may tell a fuller story of the stone`s history.”



“This is a remarkable find with a remarkable story,” said Prof. Jack Lohman, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. “The Royal BC Museum will continue working with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to learn more about the pillar’s cultural significance and will follow their lead regarding the future location and display of the artifact.”


Keddie says the stone was brought to his attention by local resident Bernhard Spalteholz, who was walking along the beach between Finlayson and Clover Points (below Beacon Hill Park) on July 12, 2020. After hearing about the item on the beach from an unidentified passerby, Spalteholz took a series of photos of the carved stone, which he shared with Keddie.

On July 16, Keddie and some helpers returned to the beach, identified the stone and carefully moved it to the Royal BC Museum. Already considering it likely that the stone was an Indigenous artifact, Keddie reached out to members of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, asking them to visit and assess the stone.

At the Royal BC Museum, Keddie worked with conservation team members to stabilize and protect the integrity of the artifact, which had been immersed in seawater, with one side now covered in algae.
The artifact is a large slab of sandstone, a type of rock not found in this area, and does not appear to have been carved with steel tools. Keddie notes it weighs approximately 100 kg.

After examining the stone, consulting with local communities and returning to anthropological (Western) records, Keddie now hypothesizes that it is a ritual stone pillar, likely related to ceremonies such as the first salmon ceremony, used in puberty rites or related to ceremonies involving the feeding of the dead.

Given the location of its discovery, Keddie suggests the pillar could be the same one mentioned by Lekwungen elders to anthropologist Franz Boas in the late 1880s. Boaz indicated its location as being “not far” from the military gun batteries that once existed at Finlayson Point in Beacon Hill Park.

Keddie speculates that the stone pillar once stood near the more extended edge of the cliff until a large landslide took it down and eventually shifted it near its recent location.

He notes that at some point, a large section of the cliff has fallen into the ocean, just above where the stone was found.
Keddie shares far more details about the story of the re-discovery of the artifact on Royal BC Museum blog entry: rbcm.ca/lekwungunritualstonepillar.

The Royal BC Museum continues to work closely and collaboratively with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to determine next steps, including carrying out any cultural work, identifying where the artifact will be kept, and determining whether it will be on display for the public to observe.
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About the Royal BC Museum:  The Royal BC Museum explores the province’s human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Located in Victoria on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations), we are a hub of community connections in BC-onsite, offsite and online-taking pride in our collective histories.



Media contacts:
Chief Ron Sam
Songhees Nation
Ron.Sam at songheesnation.com<mailto:Ron.Sam at songheesnation.com>

[cid:image002.png at 01D6F490.89C0F300]

Chief Rob Thomas
Esquimalt Nation
rob at esquimaltnation.ca<mailto:rob at esquimaltnation.ca>

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Royal BC Museum
news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca<mailto:news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca>

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