In an astonishing archaeological breakthrough, a team of Ph.D. students from the University of Victoria has uncovered Canadian ruins that predate the Pyramids by more than 9,300 years. This ancient village, located on Triquet Island off the coast of British Columbia, offers profound insights into early human history in North America.
The Ruins
The discovery unfolded when researchers began exploring Triquet Island based on oral histories shared by the indigenous Heiltsuk people. These stories spoke of a piece of land that remained unfrozen during the last Ice Age, suggesting it could have been a refuge for early humans. What they unearthed was more than just intriguing artifacts; they found evidence of a thriving community dating back an astonishing 14,000 years.
Among the relics recovered were ancient fish hooks, spears, and tools used for fire-making. The most significant artifact, however, was an ancient cooking hearth. From this hearth, researchers obtained flakes of charcoal, which they carbon-dated to confirm the age of the settlement. Alisha Gauvreau, one of the leading students on the project, expressed her wonder when they received the dating results, stating, “I remember when we got the dates back, and we just sat back and said, ‘Holy moly, this is old.’”
Historical Context
To grasp the significance of this find, it’s essential to compare it to other historical timelines. The Egyptian pyramids, which were constructed around 4,700 years ago, are often regarded as monumental achievements of ancient civilization. Remarkably, this recently discovered settlement on Triquet Island is over three times older than the pyramids. In fact, Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, lived closer in time to us than to the construction of these iconic structures.
A Testament to Oral History
William Housty, a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, highlighted the importance of this discovery in validating indigenous narratives. “To think about how these stories survived only to be supported by this archaeological evidence is just amazing,” he remarked. This find not only reaffirms the oral histories but also emphasizes their role in understanding historical migrations. “This find is very important because it reaffirms a lot of the history that our people have been talking about for thousands of years,” Housty added.
Implications for Human Migration
The research team believes that this ancient settlement could indicate a mass human migration down the coast of British Columbia. Alisha Gauvreau noted, “What this is doing is changing our idea of the way in which North America was first peopled.” This discovery enhances our understanding of how early humans adapted to their environments and moved across the continent.
Looking Ahead
The students and researchers are eager to continue their explorations in the surrounding islands, hoping to uncover more clues about this ancient migration. Each new find could reshape our understanding of North American history and the diverse cultures that inhabited the continent long before recorded history.
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If you’ve enjoyed this article, there are also articles on an ancient Mayan Palace containing human remains uncovered in Mexico’s Yucatán Jungle.
Or my story about researchers who’ve found the oldest bracelet ever found alongside the remains of an extinct human species
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