Abstract

An archaeological survey of the Prince Rupert area, conducted between 1982 and 1991, led to the discovery of a number of new, pristine village sites. Analysis of the house depressions at these sites suggests that the idea of inherited rank emerged on the north coast of British Columbia around AD 100, which is 600 years later than previous estimates. This paper presents a summary of the new data and examines their implications for the development of cultural complexity on the northern Northwest Coast.