Archaeological site in American county predates Egypt's first known pyramids

Washington, June 22 (ANI): A team of archaeologists, in eastern Snohomish County, US, has found a treasure trove of artifacts from the Olcott period, 4,500 to 9,000 years ago, which even predates the first known pyramids in Egypt.

"The developer accidentally bought himself one of the most significant sites in Washington State," Allyson Brooks, the state's historic preservation officer told The Herald.

"The site is extremely significant for our understanding of the first inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest," she added.

Earlier, a developer in 2007 uncovered thousands of artifacts, including spear points, stone knives and scraping tools - while performing a survey on land where he planned to build more than a dozen homes.

The ancient trove, investigated with just a few small test digs, put those plans on hold.

The tools catalogued by archaeological consultants during the initial survey are probably a fraction of what remains below the soil.

Initial estimates put the artifacts at up to 9,000 years old, which is almost 4,500 years older than the first known pyramids in Egypt or the apex of the Indus Valley Civilization on the Indian subcontinent, both dated to around 2,600 B.C.

Scores of similar areas are known throughout the state. Brooks and others said this one is remarkable because it is undisturbed and rich with artifacts.

"This site gives us a lot of opportunities to discover a lot of history," said Shawn Yanity, the Stillaguamish tribal chairman. "It's so rich with history, it just needs to be preserved," he added.

From 17 test holes each about the size of a small wastepaper basket, archaeology consultants dug up thousands of artifacts.

Longtime Tulalip leader Stan Jones said the find is extremely important to tribal history.

According to him, there might be a way to use some of the artifacts in a Tulalip cultural museum expected to open soon.

Yanity, the Stillaguamish chairman, hopes all of the tribes with a stake in the process can work together. The chance to rediscover their common past could also be a great opportunity to train tribal archaeologists. (ANI)