ASB 238
archaeology of north america

The film on the Ozette site was a fascinating dipiction of what a settlement along the Pacific coast would have been like several hundred years ago. Because it was buried without warning, the houses and artifacts were found virtually intact. Thousands of artifacts were found at the site, giving us a very clear picture of what life was like at that time. The decendants of these people, the Macah, feel very spiritually linked to these ancestors. The museum they have built and the knowledge and instruction that has come from their efforts will hopefully lead to a greater understanding of the past for their tribe and others interested in studying their culture.

It is nice to see a Native American community take part in a great excavation at the foot of the ocean. They were able to learn so much about their culture, which seemed like it was being lost. What an opportunity for archaeologists and tribal elders to get together and help eachother understand the past. It is such a unique site, as it is similar to Pompeii - virtually a gold mine was preserved so well. Also unique as it was excavated by the use of ocean water. It was interesting to note that this site became a foundation for a great museum - one of the largest. This site really gave a great insight of those that conquered the land before the white man. Someone made the comment that the they felt so much closer to their ancestors because of the opportunity to help out with the site and go through artifacts. This site is a great example of how all sites should be excavated - archaeologists and tribal members working hand in hand to make a discovery of a lifetime.

So much can be said about life on the Pacific coast. Yes it was a land of wealth that led to a surging population(or if you prefer a surging population that led to a land of wealth) and eventually to warring villages and over stressed political leaders worrying about redistribution. I would like to dedicate this short paragragh though, to those who had the wisdom and time to make life in the future a little more easy and a lot more interesting. I talk of course of Mr. Harrington, who dedicated his life and knowledge to a people standing on the edge of a cliff with a strong wind, the Chumash. In a time when science was not seeing the best of times it is reassuring to see that someone was consciouss of what was going on in the world. He never lived to realize the full importance of his work, we may not either, but thanks to him we will hopefully see a few more Mr. Harringtons in our lifetime.

The Ozette site is facinating for a number of reasons. Because of the suddenness of the calamity that occurred, and the remarkable preservation of the artifacts, we are able to learn and understand much about the life of the Ozette people. It is also facinating that many of the artifacts have so much significance to the Makah people, who are the hiers of the Ozette. The uses, meanings, and significance of artifacts has clearer understanding in the light of the Makah's descriptive illustration of the traditional use or importance of a particular artifact. This combining of two worlds and two time periods gives Ozette a much greater impact than it might have without the cooperation of both sides.

The meaning this site has given the oral traditions of the Makah people, and the respect of the excavators for the sacredness of that value, opens up a pathway for all future excavations to follow. If such cooperation can be utilized by the excavators of future sites, much more could be understood and learned about the ancient peoples of this continent.

The Ozette site is facinating for a number of reasons. Because of the suddenness of the calamity that occurred, and the remarkable preservation of the artifacts, we are able to learn and understand much about the life of the Ozette people. It is also facinating that many of the artifacts have so much significance to the Makah people, who are the hiers of the Ozette. The uses, meanings, and significance of artifacts has clearer understanding in the light of the Makah's descriptive illustration of the traditional use or importance of a particular artifact. This combining of two worlds and two time periods gives Ozette a much greater impact than it might have without the cooperation of both sides.

The meaning this site has given the oral traditions of the Makah people, and the respect of the excavators for the sacredness of that value, opens up a pathway for all future excavations to follow. If such cooperation can be utilized by the excavators of future sites, much more could be understood and learned about the ancient peoples of this continent.

I think one of the most interesting adaptations of this culture is the fact that they created NO pottery. All of their storage containers and cooking utensils appear to be made of woven fiber and carved froom wood. The exquisitly carved and painted boxes were used for every sort of storage and purpose imaginable. Their beauty is evident, and from it we can see how much of thier spiritualism inva