Anthropology in Our Backyards – Tse’k’wa: A 12,500 Year Old Archaeological Site in Northern BC

Tse’k’wa (“Stone House” in Dane-Zaa), located in Charlie Lake, north of Fort St John, is the oldest known archaeological site in the interior of the province, and it is a designated National Historic Site. Also known as Charlie Lake Cave, the site was excavated by Simon Fraser University during the 1980s and 1990s. That research revealed a 12,500-year history of Indigenous use of the area, along with evidence for changes in the environment and resources. At the invitation of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, the UNBC Archaeology Field School has been working at the site since 2022, with a focus on exploring the subsurface area away from the cave. In this presentation, we summarise the work and findings from the combined projects, and illustrate the importance of this site and of the deep Indigenous history of the province.

This free public talk is open to everyone. Cash bar available.