What happens when a new archaeological site is found?

Every so often, an unsuspecting developer breaks ground on a new building project and stumbles upon artifacts or remains that connect us to people of the past. It happened in Port Angeles in 2003 when the state Department of Transportation uncovered Tse-whit-zen, a 2,700-year-old ancient village of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe. And it happened again in 2007, when a developer in Snohomish County unearthed thousands of spear points, stone knives, scrapers, and other artifacts that date to the Olcott period (4,500 – 9,000 years ago).

Unlike the 2003 discovery of Tse-whit-zen (after which the Burke Museum was designated as the safest place to temporarily hold the collection in trust), the Burke Museum has no actual involvement with the new Snohomish County site. Much of the site is still yet to be excavated, and of what has been collected, the museum has not been called upon to help care for the artifacts. However, the archaeologists on our staff have been called upon by the local media to help provide some context for understanding the Olcott period and the potential significance of this discovery.

This week, the Everett Herald and KING 5 News reported on the site and looked to the Burke’s team of archaeology experts to help with the reports. Stephanie Jolivette, who handles archaeology-related outreach at the museum, stepped up and shared what she knows about the Olcott period. Read the newspaper article here or watch the news report here.

The collective knowledge of our curators, collections managers, and researchers is really quite amazing. As a public institution, the Burke is a useful resource for anyone in Washington State looking for answers to questions involving the state’s natural and cultural heritage. Next time a new archaeological site is unexpectedly discovered, I’m sure the Burke’s archaeology division will be getting a phone call to help figure out what’s what.

Photo: An array of points from the Olcott period housed in the Burke Museum collection.

Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) photos

This past Saturday, the Seattle Branch of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana was at the Burke Museum demonstrating Ikebana, or the Japanese art of flower arrangement. These photos from the afternoon show off some of the beautiful work done by Aiko Ii, who has been teaching Ikebana in Seattle since 1956. A representative from the local Japanese Consulate were also here most of the day, watching the demonstrations.

Pacific Voices -- Valued Objects: Northwest Coast Wolf Headdress

Posted by: Nicole Robert

George David is an internationally known Northwest Coast Native artist who participated in the development of the Burke Museum exhibit Pacific Voices, as well as the content of the accompanying book. The book, Pacific Voices: Keeping our Cultures Alive, is a collection of cultural objects with personal significance to members of the communities of the Pacific.

George David chose the wolf headdress. Pictured above is one example, from the Burke’s Ethnology Collection.

“The wolf headdress represents who we are. Our winter ceremony is a wolf ceremony called Tlookwana. That identifies my people, meaning not just the Nuu-chah-nulth tribe, but my family. You might hear other people say, ‘We are Raven, we are Eagle, we are Killer Whale clan.’ Me, I’m Tlookwana, that’s the house I come from. It’s not just a family crest, it’s who we are. It’s our power, our identity with nature and everything that’s around us. The wolf is our closest brother. We have songs that call the wolves down from the hills—not just physically, but their spiritual presence. When we sing those songs, the wolves come. They are with us, whether we’re here in Seattle or in our homeland on the west coast of Vancouver Island.”
-- George David

This text is excerpted from Chapter 16 of Pacific Voices: Keeping our Cultures Alive.

Big Announcement!

Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects Selected for Pre-design Study of Burke Museum

Exciting news!! The University of Washington Board of Regents has approved a recommendation to contract with Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects on a pre-design study for the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington.

The pre-design is the precursor to a major expansion of the museum, which currently occupies a 1962 campus building. The study will clarify facility needs and evaluate options for improvements that could involve renovation, expansion, or a brand new facility at the current campus. The pre-design will begin in July and be completed by the end of December 2009.

Seattle-based Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects is the 2009 winner of the American Institute of Architects' National AIA Firm Award. This annual award – often referred to as the “Firm of the Year” award – is the highest honor the national AIA bestows on an architectural firm and recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least ten years. Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen also has experience designing Seattle-area museums, including the Wing Luke Asian Museum (2008) and the Frye Art Museum (1997). For more about the firm, visit: www.oskaarchitects.com

International award-winning architect Tom Kundig will be lead designer for the Burke Museum project. Kundig is the recipient of the 2008 "National Design Award in Architecture Design" from the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the 2007 Academy Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and has won seven National AIA Institute Honor Awards. Kundig holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Washington.

Burke Director Dr. Julie Stein notes, “The pre-design study will begin a process that will ultimately ensure that all residents and visitors to the Pacific Northwest enjoy access to Washington State’s premier collection of natural history and cultural heritage.”

Coffee talk

You haven't seen "Coffee: The World in Your Cup?" What are you waiting for? It's a fabulous exhibit that explores the origins of coffee and challenges you to think about the choices you make every day about your daily cup of coffee. Check out this great video from "KCTS 9 Connects" featuring Ruth Pelz, Coffee exhibit coordinator that showcases local coffee roasters committed to promoting responsible coffee consumption.



Still not convinced? Then come this Sunday between 11 am - 2pm, view the exhibit and get some free coffee. Tony's Coffee will offer samples of their fair trade single origin coffees and will share some of their favorite and unique techniques for brewing coffee.

Weekend + Sun - Cost = Great Family Event

With the streak of beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing in Seattle, are you finding it difficult to keep coming up with ways to spend time outside? Well, this weekend we’ve got a great suggestion. On Saturday, June 6, head to the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park and celebrate Washington’s native plants. Best of all, Celebrating Wildflowers is FREE! Come discover the world of mosses, flowers, and pollinators and create your own plant shrinky dink out of recycled materials.

And most importantly, our very own Tim Stetter, the Burke’s environmental education programs manager, will be there to engage you and your family in learning about the native plants of Washington. Examine museum specimens of plants – and animals, too! – that live in four different ecosystems in our state. Look for the Burke’s table in or near the PACCAR Pavilion.

Carpooling and alternative transportation are encouraged!

Photo: Purple monkeyflower (Mimulus lewisii), photo by Ben Legler.

Vote for the Burke!!

It’s no SIFF, but did you know the UW currently has its own film festival? It’s the “Pocket Media” competition and the Burke Museum submitted a 90-second video. You can view our submission and find out how we answered the question “What do YOU do at UW?” here:

http://www.zooppa.com/ads/uw-pocket-media-film-festival/videos/the-burke-museums-top-10

And you can VOTE for the Burke’s video to win the People’s Choice Award!

There are some very creative and talented people here at the UW. To view the other entries, visit http://www.zooppa.com/ads/uw-pocket-media-film-festival .