Xá:ytem, Indigenous archaeological site in Mission, Canada
Xá:ytem is an archaeological site on the northern banks of the Fraser River featuring a sacred stone and remains of ancient settlements. Excavations here have uncovered evidence of rectangular pit houses, hearth areas, trade goods, and tools used by communities over thousands of years.
The area was inhabited by Stó:lo communities over five thousand years, with various phases of human settlement documented through remains. In recent times, the land escaped development as a residential subdivision and was instead preserved as a memorial site.
The transformer stone here embodies three Stó:lo leaders in their mythology and continues to hold meaning in local oral traditions today. Visitors come to connect with these ancient stories and the spiritual life of their ancestors.
The site is accessible from Mission via Highway 7 and lies about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Vancouver. Guided tours on location explain the discoveries and the meaning of the place for visitors.
This land was long considered for residential development but the archaeological findings led to its rescue and protection instead. The discovery makes this place a rare example of preservation taking priority over modern expansion.
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