‘Ancestral remains’ discovered in Kamloops neighbourhood

A Kamloops property has been closed to the public after a reported archaeological discovery.

It was was initially reported to Kamloops RCMP on July 15, and it has since been been taken over as an archaeological site, according to Tk’emlups te Secwepemc.

The First Nation issued a news release on July 28, describing the discovery as “ancestral remains.”

It’s working with the City of Kamloops to examine the site and asked the public to keep clear of the area.

The site is in the city’s West End neighbourhood but an exact location wasn’t made public as is typical with archaeological sites in B.C.

“The protection of our cultural heritage is a fundamental responsibility of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc. Our people have lived throughout Secwepemcúl̓ecw since time immemorial, and we remain committed to ensuring our heritage, cultural laws, and traditional practices are respected,” Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir said in a news release.

“We will continue to uphold our inherent jurisdiction and Secwépemc values while working collaboratively to protect and preserve our shared cultural heritage.

“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of all those involved in supporting this important responsibility.”

The province regulates archaeological sites through the Heritage Conservation Act. It requires any findings to be reported, which often occurs during a construction project. Disturbance, damage or a failure to report can result in steep fines and even jail.

In Kamloops, reports can be made to the BC Archaeology Branch, Tk’emlups or to police. More information can be found on the city website here or from the provincial government here.