The unidentified human remains recently discovered near Pioneer Park have been confirmed to be of Native American origin. According to a press release by the City of Walla Walla, the discovery site, as well as other locations where materials from the site were transported, have been designated as an archaeological site.
On December 9th, the Walla Walla Police Department announced the discovery of human remains at Pioneer Park near the intersection of Fern Avenue and Whitman Street. The WWPD were tipped off about the remains, which were unearthed during ongoing construction as part of Walla Walla’s pedestrian safety improvement efforts, from an image posted on Facebook of what appeared to be a human femur.
In June 2o24, Culbert Construction signed a 2.9 million dollar contract with the City of Walla Walla to undertake the 2024 Pioneer Park Pedestrian Improvements and Whitman Street IRRP project. The project, which was funded by a Transportation Improvement Board (TBD) grant and the Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Program (IRRP), would install new water mains and revamp sidewalks to ensure ADA compliance, amongst other planned improvements.
Per a 2005 executive order by then-Governor Gregoire, all state agencies are required to “review capital construction projects and land acquisitions for the purpose of a capital construction project … with the DAHP and affected Tribes to determine potential impacts to cultural resources.”
The order defines cultural resources as “archeological and historical sites and artifacts, and traditional areas or items of religious, ceremonial and social uses to affected tribes,” and specifies that “this review should be done as early in the project planning process as possible.”
In response to a Public Records Request by The Wire, the City of Walla Walla stated that a cultural resources survey was not performed for this construction project. It is unclear why such a survey was not undertaken, or if this construction project was exempt from performing a cultural resources survey.
The Walla Walla County Coroner’s Office, the Washington State Forensic Anthropologist, the Washington State Crime Lab, and other agencies were notified of the discovery. A December 23rd update from the City of Walla Walla confirmed the State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation’s (DAHP) findings that the remains were of Native American origin.
The DAHP has not yet identified which tribes might be affected by the discovery of the remains. According to the recent press release, the City expects to receive a formal letter identifying interested and affected tribes within the week. Community members have been asked to avoid the discovery area.
