More Than 700 Years Old, This Sunken Village In Oregon Is Full Of Secrets And Intrigue
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 13, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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