There’s a whole world of history waiting to be discovered here in Oregon. Not only do we have places where dinosaurs once roamed, we also have entire villages literally beneath our feet. The Sunken Village Archeological Site on Sauvie Island is one of the state’s most marvelous historical discoveries; it’s a well-preserved Chinookan village dating back more than 700 years. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this sunken village in Oregon is a direct link to a time long, long ago— and definitely worth exploring.
Oregon’s history stretches back much further than 1859, when it officially became a state.
Bill Reynolds/Flickr
Before settlers arrived, this region of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) was home to the Peoples of the Lower Columbia, formerly known as the “Chinook” people.
Nikater/Wikipedia
In fact, it was here that the tribe welcomed Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean in 1805 and 1806—ultimately helping the explorers survive the harsh winter.
Charles Marion Russell/Wikipedia
The Peoples of the Lower Columbia were hunter-gatherers, subsisting mainly on wild-caught salmon and elk native to the region.
Abi Porter/Flickr
In fact, the ubiquitous Chinook salmon gets its name from these PNW people.
Zureks/Wikipedia
This tribe treasures its history, working to preserve the culture and its place in the American consciousness.
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr Since the late 20th century, they’ve advocated tirelessly to secure formal recognition, conducting extensive research and developing documentation to demonstrate the culture’s significance.
But sadly, little in the way of artifacts actually remain from this culture, the coastal shores washing away layers and layers of history.
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr
But all has not been lost: there’s one major point of interest in the story of the Peoples of the Lower Columbia, which you’ll find in Sauvie Island.
Abi Porter/Flickr
Just north of Portland, on Sauvie Island, is an archaeological site containing the material remains of a Chinookan settlement that flourished between the 1300s and 1800s.
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr Despite severe erosion and other natural forces, the site contains some truly fascinating, well-preserved historical totems.
Most notably, a cedar bark basket was found beneath the shores of Sauvie Island. (You can view a photo of the recovered basket here.)
Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia Commons Baskets played a tremendously important role in Native American tribes who lived along the Columbia River; they were used for processing and preserving food, transporting goods, and dining and cooking vessels.
Because organic materials were used for these baskets, not many remain today.
Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons But sometimes, underground water actually preserves organic materials, as with the “Sunken Village” basket discovery in 2006.
Other significant items were found at this time, too.
A.Davey/Flickr One of the site’s more intriguing findings was a series of pits thought to have been used for leaching tannin from acorns (making them more palatable).
These pits, along with certain basketry weave patterns found at the site, resemble finds at other sites in the PNW— and in Japan, too.
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr In other words, this discovery on Sauvie Island provided a direct connection between North American and Asian cultures.
Today’s present is tomorrow’s history; the cycle goes on and on.
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr
And this fascinating sunken village in Oregon is proof that the past lives on and is never truly forgotten, its stories and presence making our present all the richer.
Charles Wilkes, U.S.N./Flickr
Did you know about this sunken village in Oregon? This site at Sauvie Island truly is remarkable, and a must-visit for anyone who enjoys learning about Oregon’s unique and storied history. Learn more about this National Historic Landmark on the Oregon Encyclopedia page.
Bill Reynolds/Flickr
Nikater/Wikipedia
Charles Marion Russell/Wikipedia
Abi Porter/Flickr
Zureks/Wikipedia
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr
Since the late 20th century, they’ve advocated tirelessly to secure formal recognition, conducting extensive research and developing documentation to demonstrate the culture’s significance.
Despite severe erosion and other natural forces, the site contains some truly fascinating, well-preserved historical totems.
Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia Commons
Baskets played a tremendously important role in Native American tribes who lived along the Columbia River; they were used for processing and preserving food, transporting goods, and dining and cooking vessels.
Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons
But sometimes, underground water actually preserves organic materials, as with the “Sunken Village” basket discovery in 2006.
A.Davey/Flickr
One of the site’s more intriguing findings was a series of pits thought to have been used for leaching tannin from acorns (making them more palatable).
In other words, this discovery on Sauvie Island provided a direct connection between North American and Asian cultures.
Charles Wilkes, U.S.N./Flickr
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Address: Sauvie Island, United States
