Hoko River Archeological Site - Hoko River Archeological Excavation Background

Hoko River Archeological Excavation Background

The Hoko River archeological site complex of Washington is located approximately 30 km from the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Hoko River Site is often compared to the Ozette site 40 km to the west. While similar excavation techniques and general conditions are found in both sites, the Hoko River site is approximately 2,000 years older than the Ozette site.

The Hoko River site was initially unearthed in early 1935 when a flood eroded the topsoil, exposing various artifacts and the edges of a prehistoric campsite floor. However, the site remained unknown to archeologists until 1967, when the property manager notified Dr. Richard D. Daugherty and Harvey Rice of the site's existence. Consequently, archeologists Harvey Rice, Dr. Ronald Fryzell, Dr. Maynard Fosberg, Robert Johnson, Gerald Grosso, and Ruth Kirk conducted test excavations. Hoko River marked the first use of hydraulic excavation. Hydraulic excavation uses a jet of water to loosen soil, which is then removed by suction, which is useful when excavating underwater sites. This form of excavation is used infrequently as it is expensive and time-consuming.

The Hoko River site complex consists of three components. Two of the three sites date from the same period (3000-2000 B.P.), while the third was occupied more recently (1000-100 B.P.). The first two sites are an upriver, waterlogged site and an adjoining campsite area. These two sites are known as the wet and dry sites. The wet and dry archeological sites grant two different perspectives into the lives of the natives. Water preserved more artifacts and organic material at the wet site while the dry site offers evidence concerning the structure and layout of the fishing camp. The wet and dry sites were occupied between 3000 to 2500 B.P. The later site, occupied from 900 to 100 B.P. and known as the Rock Shelter, which is located at the mouth of the river.