Archaeologist on shells delaying Bertha: ‘It’s not a conspiracy’

A deposit of shells found above stalled boring machine Bertha is the latest cause for delay in Seattle’s tunnel-boring project. While some have expressed skepticism about the discovery, a state archaeologist straight from the dig site says the delay is legitimate.

“I was out there today. You can see my muddy boots. The shells are there. They are a pretty solid layer of shells. They’re a pretty good distance. In all fairness, when we see a layer of shells like that, that are compressed, it’s clearly cultural,” said Archaeologist and State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks, in an appearance on KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Show.

Monson has been skeptical of the find, even going so far as to say someone from the tunnel operation could have put the shells there so they’d have one more excuse for being behind schedule.

“I think this is a way to blame some outside force instead of their mismanagement,” he said.

But Brooks insists the whole thing is not a conspiracy. “I hear your frustration with the project, however, it’s important that we do our due diligence and make sure that we spend a few days, or what it takes, to make sure there’s no human remains, there’s no historical or tribal, cultural materials.”

“Nobody is trying to pull your leg. We’re not trying to make work for archaeologists. I have other things to do. We saw the shells, they’re clearly cultural.”

From what they’ve seen so far, Brooks indicated to Monson that she doesn’t believe the shell discovery will mean that long of a holdup.

“At this point, we have not found cultural material or human remains at this time. So it’s looking clean. Hopefully we’ll be able to go forward very quickly,” said Brooks. “Hopefully the project will be able to go forward soon. We’re not talking weeks or months.”

Along with archaeologists, tribal leaders have also been invited to the site to view the shell discovery. Brooks’ sense from meeting with those tribal representatives was that they too do not want to see this cause a big delay.

“We were out with the Snoqualmie tribe today and they were very clear they want to get this project moving again for the people of Washington state. No one is trying to hold this up.”

Brooks said federal and state law prevents them from just digging through a burial ground, so they are just trying to make sure they don’t run into that type of problem.

“We saw the shells. They’re clearly cultural. We work with the tribes. We want to make sure we do our due diligence that nobody’s ancestors are there.”

Monson asked if they found a Norwegian skeleton if it would cause a similar delay. Brooks said regardless of ethnicity they’d take these steps to respect human remains.

“It does not matter,” said Brooks, “Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, private. We take care of people’s [remains.] It doesn’t mean the project has to end. That is what you have to be careful of. It just means you have to stop and move the remains out of the way. It’s just respectful for people.”

“You wouldn’t want me to put an oil rig on your grandfather or your great grandfather,” said Brooks.

But Monson said if they located the remains of his great-great grandfather in the way of a project like this, he “couldn’t possibly care less.”

While Monson doesn’t care, Brooks said there are a lot of people who do, including Brooks herself, who learned some of her ancestors remains were lost when their cemetery was destroyed in World War II.

“We’re just trying to do the right thing because people do care and no it’s not a conspiracy,” said Brooks.

“The project is not going to be stopped long. It’s just long enough to make sure we’re not doing any harm.”