Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Ozette Native American Village Archaeological Site
|
|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Address restricted |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Neah Bay, Washington |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000916 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1974 |
The Ozette Native American Village Archaeological Site is a very special place. It's where archaeologists found an ancient village. This site is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, near Neah Bay, Washington.
The village was once home to the Ozette Makah people. Around the year 1750, a big mudslide covered part of the village. This mudslide acted like a time capsule, preserving many things. The site is now within the unpopulated Ozette Indian Reservation.
Many people enjoy visiting the area today. Backpackers and hikers often explore the 9.5-mile Ozette Loop trail. This trail starts at the Lake Ozette Ranger Station. It takes you to beautiful coastal spots like Sand Point and Cape Alava.
In 1997, people from Mihama, Japan, visited Ozette. They came to remember three Japanese sailors. Their ship crashed nearby in 1834. The Makah people helped them before they traveled to Fort Vancouver.
A Village Frozen in Time
Around the year 1560, a huge mudslide buried part of a Makah village. This happened along the coast of modern-day Washington. Archaeologists first looked at the Ozette site in 1966. But they didn't realize what was hidden there until 1970.
In February 1970, a big storm hit the coast. The ocean waves washed away some mud. This uncovered hundreds of old wooden items. They were incredibly well-preserved! Soon after, the excavation of the Ozette site began.
University students worked with the Makah people. They used special tools to gently remove mud. This uncovered six buried long houses. The excavation lasted for 11 years. It uncovered more than 55,000 artifacts. Many of these items are now on display. You can see them at the Makah Museum. This museum is part of the Makah Cultural and Research Center.
What Was Found?
The mudslide kept several houses and their contents safe. They were found collapsed, just as they were buried. Archaeologists and Makah people worked together to dig them up. This happened in the 1970s.
More than 55,000 artifacts were found. These items show how the Makah people lived for about 2,000 years. They tell us about their daily activities. This includes hunting whales and seals. It also shows how they fished for salmon and halibut. There were even toys and games, plus bows and arrows.
About 30,000 of the artifacts were made of wood. This is very unusual. Wood usually decays quickly. But the mudslide protected it. Hundreds of knives were found. Their blades were made from different materials. Some were from mussel shells. Others used sharpened beaver teeth. Some even had iron blades. These iron blades might have come from Asian ships that crashed nearby.
The Makah people have an oral history. This is a history passed down through stories. Their stories mention a "great slide." This slide buried a part of Ozette a long time ago.
The Makah Museum opened in 1979. It shows replicas of cedar long houses. You can also see canoes used for whaling, fishing, and sealing.
Ozette was an active village before many Europeans arrived. This means it existed before diseases like smallpox spread. Because the mudslide covered the village so quickly, Ozette offers a rare look. It shows what a society was like before it was abandoned.
