Welqámex Archaeological Research Project
British Columbia
Summer 2010
Accommodations
Field school accommodations will be at the Telte-Yet campsite where students will stay under the canopy of an old Douglas fir grove on the banks of the scenic Fraser River. Formerly the location of an early Colonial period Stó:lo village, the Telte-Yet is First Nations Land, owned and operated by Chawathil First Nation. The site features hot showers, laundry facilities, and a kitchen for preparing meals. Lectures, meals, and laboratory activities will all transpire at the Telte-Yet field camp. Students are within a five-minute walk of internet cafés and modern-day conveniences in the small and charming town of Hope, British Columbia. In the summer, Hope is a crossroads for many travelers, and students will interact with an international community during their stay.
Students are responsible for bringing a tent, sleeping bag, and basic excavation kit to the field. A list of other recommended gear and apparel appears on the course syllabus.
UCLA Summer Sessions reserves the right to change the housing location. Should this become necessary, we will arrange comparable accommodations elsewhere.
Meals
Tuition covers the cost of meals on weekdays (Monday-Friday). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be prepared by a professional cook using the finest of local and imported foods. Fresh bread is procured from the local bakery, and delicious Fraser River sockeye and spring salmon are at the center of several feasts. Students are responsible for their meals on weekends. Hope features an array of ethnically diverse and affordable cafes and restaurants, and grocery stores are within a 10-minute hike of the field camp.
Please let us know when you apply for this program if you have special dietary needs, as well as any medical or physical conditions. We will advise you accordingly.
Excursions
We will make at least two weekend field trips to important archaeological sites in southwestern British Columbia, including important settlements in the upper Fraser Valley and lower Fraser Canyon. These include the large, defensively fortified Late period village of Xelhálh, the island village of Lhilheltalets, and a 2000-year-old pithouse settlement at Sxwóxwiymelh. One exciting field trip will be led by a renowned Stó:lo heritage scholar and entails the slow navigation of a 20-kilometer stretch of the Fraser River. Sitting atop large pontoon rafts, students will learn how Stó:lo cosmology and social order were mapped onto natural landscape features along the most intensively traveled water corridor in the region.
This program has limited free time for independent sightseeing. Potential weekend destinations include the beautiful city of Vancouver, relaxing Harrison Hot Springs, the historical Othello Tunnels, and exciting Hell’s Gate. Please consult with the faculty about independent travel during the program.