Human remains to be buried at Dallas Road memorial

A hole that was dug by city crews for a pipe replacement on Dallas Road near Ogden Point unearthed human remains last week thought to be part of a First Nations burial site. Victoria City workers Clyde Furtado (front with shovel), Lino Lazaro and Jim Kalyn were on hand to make the hole accessible for archeologists as they check for more human remains. Remains will be placed in a cedar box and reburied near the site.

Sharon Tiffin/news staff

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Human remains discovered along Dallas Road during construction last week near Ogden Point will be reburied by First Nations leaders.

Officials from the City of Victoria, Esquimalt First Nation, Songhees Nation and provincial archeologists met on Thursday after construction crews uncovered ancient human remains near Montreal Street and Dallas Road.

"We won't know (the extent of the burial site) until we open up the ground," said Sam, adding the bones were found about 80 centimetres below the surface. A similar discovery was made in the same area in 2009.

Excavation will take place in conjunction with the B.C. Archeology branch, and the remains will be reburied next to a nearby plaque commemorating the earlier discovery.

Sam said the area has long been known as a rich archeological site, and he is confident the remains will be dealt with in a respectful manner.

"I have to give kudos to Mayor (Dean) Fortin and the City, they are one of the best municipalities to work with in these situations," Sam said.

Under provincial law, the City of Victoria is responsible for archeological costs.

Work at the site is expected to resume once the human remains are relocated.

dpalmer@vicnews.com