Coins that could be more than 300 years old have been unearthed from the graving yard site in Port Angeles.
The age of the 11 coins is unclear — archeologists believe them to have been created between 1700 and 1842 — but one thing is certain: they’re of Chinese origin.
Workers uncovered the coins with the skeletal remains of a “robust” man which, Lower Elwha Klallam tribal officials say, was missing its skull.
The mysterious discovery was made earlier this fall by tribal workers digging at the state Department of Transportation’s 22.5-acre waterfront property.
“The gentleman was between 35 and 45 years old, was robust and was about 5-feet, 10-inches tall without his head,” said Carmen Charles, a Lower Elwha Klallam tribal member who works at the site.
“We are not sure if his head was missing when he was buried or if it was disturbed by construction.”
The coins, so fragile that they fall apart when cleaned, were minted between 1700 and 1842, Charles said.
In addition to the coins, a copper pendant and bone sticks, associated with fortunetelling or medicine dispensing, were found in the man’s grave, she said.
Exact age unclear
Charles said archaeologists working on the project have told the tribe that the exact age of the man cannot be determined without teeth or scientifically testing the remains.
“The bones will not be tested, and he will be buried with respect like our other tribal ancestors,” Charles said.
