The Seattle Times is running a special report this week on the discovery of a major village of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington.

"Unearthing Tse-whit-zen" is named for the Tse-whit-zen Village located on the Port Angeles harbor. Occupied until the early 1900s, the village is considered one of the most significant finds in the Pacific Northwest.

Part 1 of the report looks at some of the artifacts that have been uncovered at the village. Many -- including a rare hair comb made of bone -- remain in excellent condition, something that surprised tribal members and archaeologists. "This is part of my history," tribal member Amy Carter, who worked on the site, told the paper.

Part 2 looks at the history of the village in an attempt to explain why there are more than 300 tribal ancestors buried there. "You wonder: How could so many die? There has to be a reason to have so many infants die in one village," said tribal member Lonnie Charles, who also worked on the site. One explanation could be disease.

The Seattle Times website [Link] contains more information, resources and a slideshow about the village.

Get the Story:
From tools, shells and bones, a culture emerges (The Seattle Times 5/22)
"How could so many die?" Graves may tell story of terrible epidemic (The Seattle Times 5/23)

Relevant Links:
Tse-Whit-Zen Village News - http://tse-whit-zen.elwha.nsn.us
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe - http://www.elwha.org

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