X̱á:ytem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids X̱á:ytem |
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Sign for the X̱á:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre
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| Location | Hatzic, Mission, British Columbia, Canada |
| Current use | Active archaeological site and museum |
| Designated | 4 June 1992 |
X̱á:ytem (pronounced like "Hy-tem") is a very old archaeological site and a museum in British Columbia, Canada. It is managed by the Stoːlo people, who are the original inhabitants of this land.
This special place is near Mission, British Columbia, about 80 kilometers east of Vancouver. It's also known as Hatzic Rock National Historic Site of Canada.
X̱á:ytem is important for two main reasons. First, it has deep spiritual meaning for the Stoːlo people. Second, it's one of the oldest places where people lived in Canada, dating back about 5,000 years! Because of its importance, it was named a national historic site of Canada in 1992.
Contents
Discovering X̱á:ytem's Past
People have lived along the northern bank of the Fraser River for thousands of years. The Stoːlo people are the descendants of these ancient communities. They have always lived in this area.
The Story of the Transformer Rock
At X̱á:ytem, there is a large, moss-covered rock that is very important to the Stoːlo people. It's called a "transformer rock." According to Stoːlo traditions, a powerful being named XaːIs traveled through the land. He taught people important lessons.
One story tells how XaːIs turned three leaders into stone. They had not followed the old ways of protecting Stoːlo traditions and knowledge. This was a lesson for everyone to respect and preserve their culture.
How X̱á:ytem Was Found
For many years, the land where X̱á:ytem is located was used as a pasture for animals. It was right next to a highway built a long time ago.
Then, a developer bought the land to build houses. When they started preparing the ground, people became worried. They thought the site might have important historical value.
An expert named Gordon Mohs looked at the site. What he found was amazing! It turned out to be an incredibly old place where people had lived. It's now considered one of the oldest known living sites in North America.
Protecting the Site
After this big discovery, the government worked with the Stoːlo people. They arranged for the land to be given back to the Stoːlo Nation. This was so it could be used for archaeological research and a museum.
The Stoːlo people then built the X̱á:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre. This museum helps visitors learn about the site and the rich history of the Stoːlo people.
What Archaeologists Found
Archaeologists have carefully dug at the site, working closely with the Stoːlo. They have found many clues about how people lived there long ago.
They found evidence of long, rectangular houses called "pit-houses." These houses show that people lived there for a long time. They also found remains of posts, hearths (fireplaces), and floor areas.
Other discoveries include items used for trade, food, storage, and spiritual activities. These findings help us understand the daily lives and beliefs of the ancient Stoːlo people.
More to Explore
- Archaeology of the Americas - Learning about ancient people in North and South America.
- Fort Rock Cave - Another important archaeological site.
- Paisley Caves - A site with very old human remains and artifacts.
