Overview and Rationale
For 98 percent of the time that people have
lived in British Columbia, no written records
were made. Archaeological sites and oral
tradition are the only vestiges of this rich
history, which extends back at least
12,000 years.
Scientific study of the physical remains of past
human activity is essential to understanding and
appreciating cultural development in British Columbia.
Archaeological sites in British Columbia may be of
regional, provincial, national or international
significance.
These sites are protected and managed for their
historical, cultural, scientific and educational value
to the general public, local communities, and First
Nations.
Legislated archaeological protection in
British Columbia predates the formation of the province
as a colony in 1858, and the first provincial
“antiquities” legislation dates to 1925. The current
legislation was enacted in 1996 and is called the
Heritage Conservation Act.
All provinces in Canada have similar legislation for
protecting heritage resources, as do most other
countries.
For more information, please see:
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