City of Walla Walla halts construction on archaeology site after Native American human remains discovery

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WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The City of Walla Walla has provided an update regarding the discovery of human remains during street construction near the intersection of Fern Avenue and Whitman Street.

The remains, found on December 8, were determined by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) to be of Native American origin. This finding designates the site as an archaeological area.

In light of this determination, the City stopped all construction activities in the vicinity until the required notification and consultation process with affected and interested tribes could take place. A Public Works crew has since secured the site by placing fencing to ensure the area is protected during the ongoing investigation and collaboration efforts.

On January 13, representatives from the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, DAHP, and local officials convened to discuss next steps. The primary goal of the meeting was to ensure the respectful handling of the site and the remains in line with tribal and state protocols. According to city officials, these discussions aim to bring appropriate and dignified closure to the unfortunate disturbance of an ancestral resting place.

DAHP will oversee the next stages of the process, including ongoing consultation with the tribes to determine how best to proceed. The City has pledged full cooperation.

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