Robert J. Muckle
July 11th, 2025
Rather than starting with a specific dig site or artifact, Once upon This Land (Purich Books $29.95) begins with the land itself: a place layered with 15,000 years of human presence, from Calvert Island footprints to COVID-era debris in urban landfills. In this guide to British Columbia’s archaeological history, Robert J. Muckle shows readers how archaeology is practiced today in collaboration with Indigenous communities and other descendants, reshaping what we know about the past. Grounded in site visits and case studies, Muckle dismantles popular misconceptions and makes sense of BC’s deep human story through footprints, firepits, shipwrecks, quarries and even escape tunnels. Muckle is a professor of archaeology in the Department of Anthropology at Capilano University and his work has long been noted for its plainspoken clarity, emphasis on cultural respect and interest in connecting past and present. His writing, teaching, and media presence (including the popular Pseudo-Archaeology Podcast) demonstrate a commitment to public education and the demystification of archaeology. 9780774881081
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