6000 Year Old Ovens Discovered in Washington

Pend Oreille river bank, where the 6000-year-old ovens were found.Photo byWikimedia

Excavations conducted by the Kalispel Tribe have unveiled a remarkable find on the banks of the Pend Oreille River.

The Idaho State Journal reported evidence of ancient earth ovens, believed to be 6,000 years old, has been uncovered, offering insights into the culinary practices of the tribe's ancestors.

Led by archaeology professor Shannon Tushingham from Washington State University, the team of researchers is diligently studying the cluster of rocks used for cooking in fire pits.

Described as some of the oldest cooking technology known to humans worldwide, these ovens are among the earliest discovered in North America. The chance discovery was made during routine land exploration on recently acquired tribal land northwest of Newport, intended for additional housing for tribal members near the reservation.

The fire-cracked rocks were found about four feet below the surface during standard site exploration, conducted to test soil quality and search for potential artifacts.

As a tribe, we’ve never shared this kind of historical excavation experience with the public. But I think it is important for non-Natives to learn and understand more about our tribe. Our history and traditions are very rich and important to us. Cooking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation - Shirley Blackbear, Kasipel Tribe Elder.

This archaeological project not only sheds light on the culinary traditions of the Kalispel people but also presents an opportunity for deeper historical insights.

The carbon dating results indicate that the site was utilized repeatedly from 6,000 years ago until as recently as 700 years ago. Similar ovens have been discovered along the Pend Oreille River, suggesting a long history of food processing in the region.

While the specific foods cooked in these ovens are yet to be determined, it is likely that camas, a traditional tribal staple, was prepared using this ancient technique.

Samples taken from the site will be analyzed in the laboratory for proteins and microscopic food residues.