The Middle Fraser Canyon contains some of the most important archaeological sites in British Columbia, including the remains of ancient villages that supported hundreds, if not thousands, of people. How and why did these villages come into being? Why were they abandoned?

In search of answers to these questions, Anna Marie Prentiss and Ian Kuijt take readers on a voyage of discovery into the ancient history of the St’át’imc, or Upper Lillooet people. Drawing on evidence from archaeological surveys and excavations and from the knowledge of St’át’imc people, they find explanations in the evolution of food-gathering and -processing techniques, climate change, the development of social complexity, and the arrival of Europeans.

This wide-ranging vision of the ancient history of British Columbia is brought to vivid life through photographs, artist renderings and fictionalized accounts of life in the villages, a guide to the St’át’imc language, and sidebars on archaeological methods, theories, and debates.

Anna Marie Prentiss' profile page

Ian Kuijt's profile page

Anna Marie Prentiss is a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montana. Ian Kuijt is a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame.

In the late fifties and early sixties, the Bridge River Dig Site was my playground. This got me interested in archaeology, so I read everything I could on the subject. Today I am a Certified Archaeology Field Technician. People of the Middle Fraser Canyon captures what it is that I love about this place and its ancient history. With this book, readers can take an archaeological tour of my old playground and learn about the place and the people of the St’át’imc Nation.

Gerald Michel, Land and Resources Coordinator, Xwisten (Bridge River Band)

This fine book presents the most recent data about an important set of archaeological sites in British Columbia, exploring both the fascinating history of a people and the scientific process of investigating that ancient past. It does this with great clarity, which makes it a pleasure to read.

Kenneth Ames, Department of Anthropology, Portland University

A wonderful introduction to archaeology and archaeological techniques...Recommended.

CHOICE, Vol. 50 No. 5