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NATIVE AMERICAN FIND Artifacts uncovered near Ashland rest stop site Items found not significant enough to make it archeological site, state says Comment By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 22, 2016 at 4:53 PM Updated Jun 22, 2016 at 4:56 PM By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 22, 2016 at 4:53 PM Updated Jun 22, 2016 at 4:56 PM » Social News When Allen Walters and his daughter Cassidy go for walks, they keep their eyes open. Both are interested in Native American history and artifacts, especially given that they live in the Oak Knoll neighborhood on the southeast edge of Ashland, atop an area thought to be a major travel route for tribes before 19th century settlers arrived here. So when they began stumbling upon what appeared to be artifacts in the construction area off Crowson Road and Interstate 5 where the new Siskiyou Rest Area and Welcome Center is being built near Milepost 12, it made sense to them. Picking up clay pieces, an old cloth, a leather strap and button and what appears to be a large jasper rock and a piece of obsidian, they began to categorize them. Walters says he compared them to other similar items and he believes the jasper piece was used as a native stone ax and the obsidian as a type of tool, as well. Both would be consistent with American Indian activity in the area, according to Oregon archeologist Jessica Bochart-Leusch, who was assigned to review the site by the Oregon Department of Transportation, which is constructing the rest area. “The obsidian could have been brought in, it may or may not have been used as a tool,” said Bochart-Leusch. “It could be thousands of years old. That was a huge transportation corridor before settlers.” She said the primary tribes most likely would have been Shasta and Takelma. However, she does not believe the area could be considered an archeological site. There would be many factors, including the number of items, the authentication of the pieces, the context of where they were found and how they would have been used. She plans to contact Walters and look at the pieces in person, as well as determine exactly where they were found. As of now, she has seen only pictures. To become an archeological site, there must be at least 10 items of significance, which are artifacts that can be verified. However, that is not to say the items lack value, according to Bochart-Leusch, adding she would need to investigate further. In the meantime, Walters wants to make sure the pieces are carefully examined and taken seriously. “They should look more deeply. I’d like to get it in the right hands,” he said, adding he wants to make sure the history of the area and its early residents are reflected. “It’d be great to show this whole area was their's (Native American); we took it away from them.” If it turns out the items Walters found are artifacts, he said, he’d like to see them displayed at the rest area as a tribute to what was there. “It’s important to know it was native land," said Cassidy Walters. "There was culture. It’s important for people to know what they’re building on.” Oregon Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Gary Leaming said nothing has been found yet that would stop or slow construction of the $12 million project. Work is almost done on a service road from Crowson Road to the welcome center site on the northbound side of I-5. The second phase of the project, including construction of the rest area and welcome center buildings, will go out to bid later this year. The project is expected to be completed in early 2018. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 22, 2016 at 4:53 PM Updated Jun 22, 2016 at 4:56 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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