Fraser Valley
Introduction
Abbottsford
Mission
Fort Langley
Langley

Airports
Abbottsford . YXX
Langley
Pitt Meadows

Attractions
Agriculture
First Nations Sites
Gold Rush Trail
Flight Museum
Harrison Resorts
Lakes, Rivers
Manning Park
Mount Baker
Ski Areas
Youth Programs

Abbotsford International Airshow
Archives 2005
Archives 2004
Archives 2003
 


 

Xá:ytem (Hatzic Rock) Longhouse
Interpretive Centre

When visiting the City of Mission, BC, across the Fraser River from Abbotsford, one of the key attractions you should see is an archaeological village, of which Xá:ytem, (hay-tum) or Hatzic Rock is the dominant feature. This Sto:lo village is said to be the oldest known dwelling site in British Columbia, dated at up to 9000 years old. The immense rock has special spiritual significance to the Sto:lo. Recently, staff has begun to catalogue over 8,000 lithic (stone) artifacts at the Xá:ytem location, and is creating a web site to showcase ancient stone tools. and other objects.

The variety of artifacts discovered to date and still being found in the "Valley of the Stone People" provides treasures that form an on-going record of the cultural history of the Northwest Pacific Coast. The valley's dominant tribal group belongs to the Sto:lo First Nations. Of 18 recognized Sto:lo bands, some names that come most easily to mind are the Cheam (wild strawberry place), Kwantlen and Matsqui. (easy portage).

Declared a heritage site of national historic significance by the Federal Government in 1992, this was the first native spiritual site in Canada to so acknowledged. The Stó:lo Nation and the Province of British Columbia are partners in the site's management.
The Xá:ytem Interpretive centre is open from June to September.
Admission; $4.00.
35087 Lougheed Hwy., Mission, BC V2L 6T1
Ph: (604) 820-9725 Fax: (604) 820-9735,
Mail@Xaytem.Museum.bc.ca

For more details: http://www.heritage.gov.bc.ca
Other web sites of interest on this topic:
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
http://www.moa.ubc.ca/
Archaeology Museum, Simon Fraser University
http://www.sfu.ca/archaeology/museum/index.htm

  Xá:ytem (Hatzic Rock) Longhouse
Interpretive Centre

When visiting the City of Mission, BC, across the Fraser River from Abbotsford, one of the key attractions you should see is an archaeological village, of which Xá:ytem, (hay-tum) or Hatzic Rock is the dominant feature. This Sto:lo village is said to be the oldest known dwelling site in British Columbia, dated at up to 9000 years old. The immense rock has special spiritual significance to the Sto:lo. Recently, staff has begun to catalogue over 8,000 lithic (stone) artifacts at the Xá:ytem location, and is creating a web site to showcase ancient stone tools. and other objects.

The variety of artifacts discovered to date and still being found in the "Valley of the Stone People" provides treasures that form an on-going record of the cultural history of the Northwest Pacific Coast. The valley's dominant tribal group belongs to the Sto:lo First Nations. Of 18 recognized Sto:lo bands, some names that come most easily to mind are the Cheam (wild strawberry place), Kwantlen and Matsqui. (easy portage).

Declared a heritage site of national historic significance by the Federal Government in 1992, this was the first native spiritual site in Canada to so acknowledged. The Stó:lo Nation and the Province of British Columbia are partners in the site's management.
The Xá:ytem Interpretive centre is open from June to September.
Admission; $4.00.
35087 Lougheed Hwy., Mission, BC V2L 6T1
Ph: (604) 820-9725 Fax: (604) 820-9735,
Mail@Xaytem.Museum.bc.ca

For more details: http://www.heritage.gov.bc.ca
Other web sites of interest on this topic:
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
http://www.moa.ubc.ca/
Archaeology Museum, Simon Fraser University
http://www.sfu.ca/archaeology/museum/index.htm