Redmond, WA – Archaeologists workers unearthed stone flakes, scrapers, awls and spear points, to name a few of the 4,000 and more crafted stone tools that they found near Redmond Town Center. The discovery was made during a regular archaeological examination to clear the region for a future construction. According to scientists the tools have at least 10,000 years underground. The analysis was published in the journal Paleo America
Robert Kopperl, who was there leading the field investigation said “We are pretty amazed. This is the oldest archaeological site in the Puget Sound lowland with stone tools.”
Back in those days
Kopper, along with his archeological team analyzed the stone tools and declared on Saturday that they belonged to some of the first inhabitants from Redmond and were created in the period when the last ice age was already ended and the prehistoric bison and mammoths still inhabited this area. Archeologists stated that apparently the site on the shores of Bear Creek, a tributary to the Sammamish River, which flows through Redmond, have been taken by individuals who were somehow connected to the crafting and repair of the stone tools, most likely hunters.
Furthermore, scientists examined some of the stone tools and discovered traces of the food they were eating at that time, mostly fished from the river. Bison, deer, bear, sheep and salmon traces were also found. Kopper said that back in the days people could use this place as a safe based camp location because people could eat and hunt while they were assembled making stone tools for survival. Kopper discussed the findings yesterday in a presentation sponsored by the Redmond Historical Society.
Previous Discoveries
This region was originally surveyed back in 2009, when the city of Redmond initiated a project in order to reestablish a salmon habitat in Bear Creek. Archaeologists first discovered a “foot-thick layer of peat” that was at least 10,00 years old. Officer Allyson Brooks from the Washington State Historic Preservation said “We knew right away that it was a pretty significant find.” In addition, a peat is a heterogeneous mixture of more or less decomposed plant material that has accumulated in a water-saturated environment and in the absence of oxygen.
Brooks stated about new findings by saying “It just shows you that humans continuously use the landscape, and that the places that people use today are the same places that people used yesterday.
Additionally, Kopper and his team will hand the stone tools to the Muckleshoot Tribe, which is a federally recognized Indian tribe, for curation. Archeologists showed no hurry in making the crafted tools available for the public scope.
Source: The Seattle Times