Researchers uncover evidence of Indigenous aquaculture 3,500 years ago

[Judi Lynn]

JONATHAN VENTURA
VANCOUVER
PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

Ancient Indigenous clam gardens off northern Quadra Island have been dated by researchers to be at least 3,500 years old – 2,000 years older than previously thought.

The study by archeologists from Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the Hakai Institute, a B.C. scientific research centre, provides valuable data on the human-built rock walls known as clam gardens. The walls, used to farm clams along tidal zones, are hidden under the high tide and provide an ideal habitat for the mollusks.

“Some of these walls were built 3,500 years ago and continue to be used.” said Dana Lepofsky, lead author of the study and professor at Simon Fraser’s department of archeology.

Using a combination of radiocarbon dating and historic sea-level mapping, researchers have been able to date the clam gardens, Prof. Lepofsky said.

More:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-researchers-uncover-evidence-of-indigenous-aquaculture-3500-years-ago/