Earlier, when the Klallam tribal artifacts were found at the facility in Port Angeles, the tribe signed an agreement with the state to allow construction of a so-called graving yard for construction of pontoons. In return, the state would give reinternmnet of any tribal remains found on the site and preservation of artifacts.

Thursday, the senior archaeologist on the site, Dennis Lewarch described the site as, "one of the most significant sites excavated in North America and the largest one in the Pacific Northwest."

Lewarch described the dig as the opportunity of a lifetime. But to the lower Elwha Klallam tribe, this is tragedy. History is being dug up and moved out. Tribal chairwoman Frances Charles told KOMO 4 News, "If we could turn back time, we would ask for the project to move elsewhere."

She called it "heart-wrenching" to see a village destroyed. Four so-called long houses have been discovered, and they've been carbon-dated back to 1,800 years ago.

The soil is in layers -- cedar, dirt, and shells, and even a layer of purple showing at one time, sea urchins were a principal part of the Klallam tribal diet. Lewarch looked at the striations at said, "this means people were occupying this area for at least 1,800 years, perhaps continuously."

Rock carvings, barbed from hooks carved from bones and other cedar articles have also been found at the dig and will later be housed in a tribal museum. One of those working at the site, 23-year-old Carmen Charles, said "It's awesome, because we find stuff like this." But then she added, "It's sad, because we have to dig it up, remove it from its homeland, from where my people lived. "

By Sept. 23, the state is expected to complete construction of the exterior of the graving yard. At that point, the site will be de-watered, taking the water level down 28 feet to the approximate level of the water 5,000 years ago.

Archaeologists and the tribe say more samples will be taken. Tribal leaders say if additional artifacts are found, they would like to see additional preservation efforts. The impact of that on the Hood Canal project is open to speculation.

The tribe has planned three public tours of the facility Friday, and all are completely booked.