A05_02

Chuchuwaya: People and Nature in the Similkameen

–        Chronological modelling –

Quiles A¹, Delannoy J², Allison M³, Chalmin E², Clyburn A⁴, Gould B⁵, Jacquet J², Rowley S⁶, Geneste J⁷

¹Institut français d'archéologie orientale (IFAO), Cairo, Egypt, ²Université Savoie Mont-Blanc – Laboratoire EDYTEM, Le Bourget-du-lac, France, ³Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Hedley, Canada, ⁴independent researcher, Hedley, Canada, ⁵Similkameen Consulting, Hedley, Canada, ⁶Museum of Anthropology - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, ⁷UMR 5199 CNRS Pacea, Bordeaux, France

Chuchuwayha rockshelter (British Columbia, Canada) is a sacred place within the territories of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, who initiated this project. Occupants have left evidence of their presence in archaeological deposits and through the over 70 pictographs. The project is developed in a multiscalar approach, both spatially and temporally, involving the fields of archaeology, geosciences, archaeometry and ethno-archaeology. It aims to restore the temporalities of the major events that have shaped the life of the site, whether natural or anthropogenic, and to frame the realization of the preserved rock art.

Cosmogenic dating (¹⁰Be) is used to determine the age of the site as used by people. Its application is based on the morphogenic evolution of the site and the different identified collapses phases, using the 3D model of site evolution. ¹⁴C dates on organic materials collected during the excavation enable modeling the time depth of human occupation and the pictographs making. A homogeneous compact ash level marks the major ancient catastrophic event of Mt St Helens Yn that occurred more than 3000 years ago. The precise timing of this event and the time frame within which people could reoccupy the region is being modeled. Silico-calcic crusts are covering and fossilizing ancient decorated wall morphologies and sometimes pictographs. ¹⁴C/U-Th cross-dating of wall crusts will enable us to set termini for the art realisation.

The resulting multitechnical chronological model will restore the story of the life of the Chuchuwayha site, both from human, animals and natural points of views.