This website and the free book available on this site (click here to download) feature photographs and descriptions of objects (artifacts) recovered in Fall City, Washington on land where I (Chris Rawley) had permission to look for and keep anything I found.
It is important to note the following:
1. This land was not a burial ground, but rather the the site of an old creek bed which no longer flows. Artifact finds are common on waterways.
2. I have not sold, traded or given away any artifacts, nor would I ever sell, trade, or give away any artifacts.
3. All artifacts now reside in a safe deposit box in Austin, Texas.
I have struggled with the question of what to do with the artifacts. I finally decided that delivering them safely to a national institution with outstanding relationships with tribal leaders in both Canada and the U.S. was the best solution.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian describes its work and its approach on this page on their website:
https://www.si.edu/about/american-indian-museum
“The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is an institution of living cultures dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere. NMAI is the first national museum in the country dedicated exclusively to Native Americans and the first to present all exhibitions from a Native viewpoint.”
I will arrange transfer of all artifacts to The Smithsonian National Museum Of The Native American in Washington D.C., along with a letter suggesting that these items be considered Global Treasures.
National Treasure is a term that Japan uses when referring to objects that are invaluable in terms of their impact on Japanese culture. Because he objects (artifacts) described here represent a tangible and unifying link between all major religions, I am suggesting that they be considered National Treasures.
Because transportation can only be arranged after an agreement to receive them has been made formally with The Smithsonian National Museum Of The Native American (see letter below). Because I will need to make arrangements with their preferred carrier, it is safe to say that all artifacts will be delivered by armored carrier to the Smithsonian National Museum Of The Native American no later than February 1, 2025.
Click here to download the letter I sent to The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on December 2, 2024.