[MSN] US. Vandals strike Squaxin tribal archaeological site

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Vandals strike Squaxin tribal archaeological site
John Dodge
Published July 18, 2007

MUD BAY - For the second time in two years, vandals have struck an 
archaeology site occupied centuries ago by Squaxin Island tribal 
ancestors, this time disturbing the site and stealing a tent used by 
field researchers.

The 700-year-old fish camp and seafood-processing site called Qwu?gwes 
is in its ninth year as an active archaeological dig involving the 
tribe, South Puget Sound Community College and Mud Bay property owners 
Ralph and Karen Munro.

Someone entered the tribal sacred place by boat at high tide Sunday, 
tunneled into one of the excavation cells, stole one tent and tossed a 
"no trespassing" sign and a second tent into Eld Inlet. The sign and one 
canopy were recovered Monday at low tide, but some of the damage is 
irreversible, said SPSCC anthropology professor Dale Croes.

"It's like a giant jigsaw puzzle that's now missing a piece or two," 
Croes said. He was unsure whether anything of cultural value was stolen.

News of the vandalism and theft sent a wave of panic through tribal 
members, who take great pride in this tangible link to their ancestors, 
said Larry Ross, a cultural resource specialist with the Squaxins.

"It's like a personal invasion," he said. "A lot of times, it's people 
who don't have a clue what they're doing."

The vandalism could be racially motivated, said Croes, who has worked on 
a number of American Indian archaeological sites throughout the Northwest.

Thievery and vandalism at active archaeological sites are a common 
problem nationwide, said state Department of Agriculture archaeologist 
Scott Williams, who was working at the Mud Bay site along with about 18 
college students Tuesday.

In many cases, thefts have been traced to methamphetamine addicts who 
traffic in stolen artifacts, he said. The Mud Bay site is a treasure 
trove of early American Indian culture, telling a story of how 
indigenous people of South Sound gathered, processed and cooked salmon 
and shellfish centuries before white settlers arrived.

Items recovered include portions of a cedar bark gillnet, ornamental 
basketry, shell jewelry and arrows, spears and weights made of stone, 
bone and wood.

"To think that someone would come in and purposely damage the site just 
overwhelms me," said Munro, former secretary of state and a South Sound 
history buff.

Vandals also struck the site over the July 4 weekend in 2005.

The college field class works at the site under Croes' supervision from 
June 25 to Aug. 9. About 2 percent of the site has been excavated. The 
agreement among the tribe, college and Munros calls for 10 percent of 
the site to be examined.

Ideas being considered to improve security include installing a security 
camera and cordoning the site off with a float net to keep boaters away, 
Munro and Croes said. Whom to call

Anyone with information about the vandalism and theft is asked to call 
the Thurston County Crime Stoppers Hot Line at 360-493-2222. Museum

Many of the items found at the Mud Bay archaeological site are on 
display at the Squaxin Island Museum, which is open to the public from 9 
a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For 
more information, including directions to the museum, go to 
www.squaxinislandmuseum.org.

Whom to call

Anyone with information about the vandalism and theft is asked to call 
the Thurston County Crime Stoppers Hot Line at 360-493-2222.

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