PORT ANGELES — Dozens of archeological workers and tribal members took to the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard site on Monday, the first day of work that will lead to resumption of construction in the summer.
A state Department of Transportation spokesman called the waterfront property “an archaeologist site”‘ until all the remains and artifacts of Lower Elwha Klallam tribal ancestors are removed.
“It’s just in the hands of the archaeologists,” said Lloyd Brown, transportation’s Olympic Region communications manager.
About 25 people connected with the $4.5 million archeological project were observed on the closed 22-acre site Monday.
The state has contracted Gig Harbor-based Lynn Larson of Larson Anthropological and Archaeological Services Ltd. to complete the work.
Larson also conducted an archaeological survey for the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe last September after the discovery of Native American artifacts human remains halted construction of the huge onshore dry dock last August.
The property is the former site of a Klallam village.
After all remains and artifacts are recovered, the $17 million graving yard project is expected to resume.
