Investigating site formation processes at EjTa-4 on Calvert Island, British Columbia: Results from a microstratigraphic study of excavation units 12 and 10/15

Accurate interpretation of the archaeological record depends largely on detailed reconstruction of site formation processes. The microscopic and chemical study of archaeological deposits (i.e., the microstratigraphic approach) is effective at reconstructing cultural and natural processes that occurred at any archaeological site. The major focus of my thesis is to test the effectiveness of soil micromorphology and FTIR, two methodological pillars of the microstratigraphic approach, to study site formation processes at EjTa-4, a large shell-matrix site on the central coast of British Columbia. Results indicate well-preserved evidence for activities dating back to 3300 years ago, including built environments, and food processing in the forest. These findings contribute important new information to our knowledge of pre-contact Northwest Coast societies, and to deciphering large shell-matrix sites such as EjTa-4.