Archaeological chance find procedure
A standard operating procedure for work crews if unexpected archaeological sites or resources are found during construction phase. If materials known or suspected to be of archaeological significance are encountered all construction activity in the vicinity will stop, the Project Manager will contract an archaeologist to review the site and provide further direction.
Chance find procedures are not appropriate in all circumstances and are generally only used in locations/projects where there is enough information to indicate that the project has a low chance of impacting unregistered archaeological materials.
Adapted from Vancouver Park Board Best Management Practices – Cultural and Archaeological Resources External website, opens in new tab
Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA)
Often the second phase of archaeological study. The study is undertaken by archaeologists under permits if known or suspected archaeological resources are within the proposed project/development, typically following an AOA report. A field-based study to collect in-the-ground information to determine the extent and nature of archaeological resources, if present. This study will often result in recommendations for further work, measures to mitigate impacts to archaeological resources (if present), or other measures as necessary.
Adapted from “xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Archaeological Review Process – for works on Crown, Provincial, and Private Lands”
Review the AIA process and guidelines External website, opens in new tab
Archaeological Overview Assessment (AOA)
A desktop study where available resources (archival documents, historical photos, archaeological records, etc.) are reviewed and used to determine the project’s potential to impact archaeological sites. Typically, an AOA is the first phase of archaeological study, and recommended to be completed in the early planning stages of a project. This study does not require an HCA permit but may require First Nations permits. The report leads to a determination if the proposed project will impact as-yet unregistered archaeological resources, alternatively described as having “archaeological potential”.
Review AOA study locations and reports External website, opens in new tab
Archaeological potential
Refers to those locations that have a greater likelihood for archaeological materials, features, or deposits to be present and detectable using standard archaeological investigative techniques. Such determinations of archaeological potential are commonly based on a review of known archaeological site locations, past cultural practices, biophysical characteristics (example: slope, forest cover, distance to potable water), and First Nations place names that are typically associated with known archaeological site locations. Historical land use is also taken into account to determine the probability of an archaeological encounter being made during ground altering works.
Archaeological/heritage resources
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) archaeological resources are just one component of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ heritage and include any and all evidence and traces of past human activity. These resources are non-renewable. Once they are removed from the ground much of the information we can glean about the past is lost. xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ territories are highly sensitive and require due care and attention in order to ensure xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ cultural safety. Much of the archaeological resources in xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ heritage resources have already been heavily impacted, disturbed, or destroyed by developments and so it is important that we take the right steps to respectfully manage what little is left.
Adapted from Parks Canada website External website, opens in new tab
Archaeological site
Land, including land covered by water, which has heritage value to British Columbia, a community or an aboriginal people.
Adapted from Parks Canada website External website, opens in new tab
Belongings
Cultural heritage objects, often referred to as “artifacts” in archaeological literature but referred to as “belongings” by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ in reference to the First Nations peoples who made them and who rightfully own them.
“Many times people are buried with things that are important to them or to the family that is putting away their loved ones. For that person to be in the other world, in the spiritual world, they need their belongings in order to use them. Those things belonged to somebody; they didn't just appear in some pile of dirt. They belonged to someone, and that's how it was always explained to us.”
- sʔəyəɬəq (Larry Grant), quoted in the exhibition, c̓əsnaʔəm: the city before the city, Vancouver, BC, 2015
Adapted from Parks Canada website External website, opens in new tab
Cultural heritage resources
Tangible and intangible assets which are central to xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)'s identity as a people. This includes objects (belongings, artworks), language, songs, stories, histories, and the locations of cultural practices. This also includes archaeological sites, which are places that have the continued importance to xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ today as they have for countless generations.
Taken from British Columbia Archaeological Resource Management Handbook for Foresters External website, opens in new tab
Adapted from Parks Canada website External website, opens in new tab
Ground alterations or disturbance
Ground disturbance can be defined as any activity that compacts or disturbs the ground within a project area. The project area is defined as all areas where project activities are planned, including: construction activities, easements (temporary and permanent), staging areas for supplies and equipment, landscaping, tree, rock, and soil removal.
- Ground disturbance can be caused via the use of hand tools (shovels, pick axe, posthole digger, survey pins, augers), heavy equipment (excavators, drill-rigs, backhoes, bulldozers, trenching and earthmoving equipment), and heavy trucks or storage/waste containers/bins (large four wheel drive trucks, dump trucks, tractor trailers, and storage containers). Tree, rock, and soil removal also constitute ground disturbance. Geotechnical or geo-environmental testing (hand, auger, or drill-rig) are considered ground disturbing activities.
- Projects that are often associated with ground disturbance include demolition/relocation of structures; new construction, creation of basements, vegetation management, landscaping; and, infrastructure projects such as utilities, storm water management, and flood control measures. Any projects that include the installation or maintenance of water, sewer and storm services, perimeter drains, electrical lines, irrigation, foundations, and footings, as well as, driveways, retaining walls, pools, ponds all typically involve ground disturbance.
- No ground disturbance can be understood as: proposed activities that are confined to locations where natural soil has been removed and replaced with engineered fill (example: sand and gravel aggregate fill). Examples include: recent infilled trenchlines, engineered sand below paving stones or sidewalks or driveways or roads. Trimming trees, mowing lawns and tree stump grinding without disturbing the root system are not classified as ground disturbing activities.
Heritage Conservation Act (HCA)
Provincial legislation that governs the protection and management of archaeological sites in BC.
Taken from Province of British Columbia website External website, opens in new tab
Preliminary Field Reconnaissance (PFR)
The field study used to assess or confirm the potential of proposed operational areas to contain archaeological resources protected under the Heritage Conservation Act and recommend more detailed archaeological field studies, where appropriate. May be conducted without a HCA permit.
Taken from Province of British Columbia website External website, opens in new tab
Province of British Columbia Archaeology Branch
The Archaeology Branch is responsible for administering the Heritage Conservation Act. This includes maintaining and distributing archaeological information, and deciding if permits can be issued to allow development to take place within archaeological sites.
Time immemorial
Time beyond memory, beyond most ancient xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ histories, which go back at least 8,000 years before present.
Adapted from Parks Canada website External website, opens in new tab
