Exploring the story of pit houses from the archeology of Keatley Creek Site in British Columbia

Exploring the story of pit houses from the archeology of Keatley Creek Site in British Columbia

Research Proposal

Overview of the topic

The topic chosen for this research is “Exploring the story of pit houses from the archeology of Keatley Creek Site in British Columbia”. Keatley Creek is considered as the world heritage site having exceptionally large house pits, clear architectural features, good preservation and it is evident to have complex socioeconomic organization. It is located in an arid region of the interior plateau (Hayden, 2005). It is believed that Keatley Creek was engaged for approximately 3000 years. For the entire period the largest pit houses were occupied. Only the roofs were replaced after each century, and except that people lives for 3000 years in the same pit houses (Hayden, 2005). Many ethnologists have hypothesized that the model for the dwellings of the semi subterranean of such kind was first started from the northeastern Asia.

The architectural structure ideas are transferred from one place to another by oral practice, thus this kind of structure was transferred to other regions, such as North America when people migrated from the bridge of Bering. From then on it was spread across the continent, initially witnessed in Arctic and whale bone houses of the Thule residents, gradually transformed in pit houses and then in to earth lodges in the plains of America and other forms of pit houses in the south west America. No matter where it was originated, the pit houses are considered as the oldest kind in the North America and it was being used to live in the regions of plateau up till the nineteenth century.

Purpose of the Study

The aim of this study is to make advances in archaeological studies of complex hunter-gatherers. The major focus of this study is to gain more insight of the stories that revolve around the pit houses and the archaeology of Keatley Creek in British Columbia.

Referred work

Hayden, B. (2005) the Pithouses of Keatley Creek, SFU Arch Press

Thesis Statement

The archaeology of pit houses at Keatley Creek Site holds great significance with exceptionally large and strong structure considering the fact that it was occupied for 3000 years. Many people believe that the story of pit houses from the archeology of Keatley Creek Stie is different from other sites in BC and considered as World Heritage quality site. However, how do the people managed to live 3000 years in the same pit houses, what were the architectural features of the pit houses and what was the culture that surrounded the people in that period living behind this unique and amazing site in British Columbia? Many archaeologists who have different point of views answer these questions in their own opinions.

Introduction

This research paper intends to make advances in archaeological studies of complex hunter/gatherers living thousands of years ago in British Columbia. The major focus of this study is to gain more insight of the stories that revolve around ...