Central Whidbey's
ARCHAEOLGICAL HERITAGE
Central Whidbey Island
Archaeological
Resources
In Central Whidbey Island, the most common archaeological sites are different types of American Indian sites and 19th century Anglo-American sites. The Indian sites are shell midden sites, lithic sites, and rock cairn sites and may be both prehistoric and historic, probably dating from post-glacial times to the early 20th century. The 19th century Anglo-American sites are usually old homesteads dating from the 1850s and later.
Shell Midden Sites are the most common Indian sites. They are largely composed of marine shell, bone, charcoal, ash, fire-cracked rocks, and bone and stone artifacts. Usually found along marine shorelines, most sites probably represent settlements from a few hundred years to a few thousand years old. These sites probably represent people much like, and related to, this area's historic (post 1792) native population. There seem to be several different types of settlements. The larger and deeper shell middens may be large winter villages. Many of the smaller shell middens probably represent several different types of seasonal hunting and food gathering camps.
Lithic Sites are places where the dominant — sometimes the only — cultural materials are stone objects. Chipped stone objects are the most common. These artifacts usually include tools and the flakes which are produced as a by-product of tool-making. Organic materials are scarce to absent and what little organic material is found at a lithic site is usually charcoal. Unburned shell and/or bone is rare.
Lithic sites tend to occur inland, often on or near Central Whidbey Island's prairies. Little is known about these sites, but they appear old. At least one site near Penn Cove maybe nearly 11,000 years old. Like shell midden sites, the lithic sites probably represent settlement and a variety of seasonal camps.
Rock Cairns, circular to oval rock piles, are a third type of prehistoric site. They are simple heaps of unworked stones from local sources, typically occurring in groups of fewer than six. Prehistoric rock cairns seem to occur only in certain areas and, frequently, they are found either within or near shell midden sites. Typical locations include: hillsides, headlands, and small nearshore islands. Their age is unknown, but they may be associated with the more recent shell midden sites. Their significance is not fully understood, but at least some rock cairns are burial markers. Others may be associated with vision quest sites or other spiritual or sacred activities.
Homestead sites on Central Whidbey Island represent historic Anglo-American settlement from the 1850s. These sites are typically scatters of glass, ceramics, metal, and organic debris from 19th and early 20th century settlements. Like the prehistoric lithic sites, these homestead sites tend to be found inland, away from the Puget Sound shoreline.
