-
Apr 21, 2008 11:34 pm US/Pacific
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Ancient Artifacts Found At Construction Site
ANGEL CAMP (CBS13) ―
A major freeway bypass project hit an unexpected delay after crews unearthed ancient artifacts by accident. The excavation is taking place in Calaveras County, near Highway 4 in Angels Camp.
The bypass was being built to help commuters get to and from work with less traffic congestion, but in the process, they made an ancient discovery. Ancient Mi Wuk Native American artifacts were unearthed, some as many as 5000 years old.
Debra Grimes is part of the Mi Wuk Tribe, and for the past moth, she and other archeologists are preserving what her ancestors left on the land. The discovery of tens of thousands of artifacts hasn't stopped construction, but it has certainly slowed it down.
Through excavating, archaeologists have found signs of a village in the area.
"We prefer to leave our things where they belong," Debra said. But she'd rather save what's here than let it be destroyed by bulldozers.
"To is, it's rewarding to be able to save those items," she said.
Once the bypass is completed in 2010, many of the artifacts will be reburied with a special ceremony. Mi Wuk's believe the artifacts belong to the land.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)