In a remote coastal inlet of British Columbia, researchers have identified a series of stone-carved salmon altars dating back 5,000 years. The altars, which are submerged during high tide, feature deep engravings of leaping salmon and human figures in prayer. This site is interpreted as the location of the 'Festival of the Silver Scale,' an ancient First Nations ceremony designed to welcome the first salmon of the season back to the spawning grounds.
Microscopic analysis of the stone surfaces revealed residues of red ochre and salmon oil, confirming their use in ritual libations. The strategic placement of the altars at the mouth of a major river suggests that these festivals played a crucial role in managing local fisheries and ensuring ecological balance through spiritual observance. This find is one of the oldest recorded ritual sites dedicated to salmon in the Pacific Northwest.