Fish traps along the Nanaimo River Estuary are the focus of a field trip hosted by the local branch of the Archaeological Society of British Columbia.
Anthropologist Deidre Cullon leads a tour of the estuary June 4 which includes an in-the-field-discussion of fish traps, large structures made out of wood or stone in the intertidal zone and at the mouths of rivers.
Although archaeologists have known about the presence of fish traps for a long time, they have not often been the focus of intensive research.
This has changed as more archaeologists begin to look for and record this subsistence technology.
In 2008-2009, Snuneymuxw First Nation initiated fish trap research within the Nanaimo River Estuary. The estuary tour begins at noon in Chase River Park off Haliburton Street, behind the Bold Knight Restaurant.
Participants are encouraged to wear solid footwear and be prepared to get wet and muddy.
There is no charge for the tour, though donations will be accepted.
For more information on the Archaeological Society of British Columbia – Nanaimo branch, please go to www.asbcnanaimo.nisa.com.