Press Release
Southern Oregon Archaeologists Venture into Wildfire Devastation to Recover Lost Cremains
A dedicated team of archaeologists from Southern Oregon University (SOU) is undertaking a sensitive mission in Los Angeles neighborhoods ravaged by January wildfires. Their goal: to recover cremation urns containing human ashes that were lost in the destruction.
The team, led by Chelsea Rose, director of SOU’s Laboratory of Anthropology, will be in the field from Friday through Sunday, employing scientific methods and detection dogs to sift through layers of toxic ash. Their previous collaborations with the Alta Heritage Foundation in Santa Rosa have yielded successful recoveries using new technologies and specialized training.
This rapid response comes in light of the physical and emotional challenges they will face. The hazardous environment includes toxic dust and unstable structures, coupled with the difficult task of engaging with fire survivors. The archaeologists need to gather personal accounts to locate the cremains, compelling families to revisit traumatic memories.
Keoni Diacamos, a field archaeologist on the team, recalls his past volunteer efforts following the 2020 Almeda fire and acknowledges the significance of recovering ashes. He emphasizes that losing cremains is an often-overlooked tragedy; without intervention, ashes may be discarded unintentionally amid debris removal efforts.
In preparation, the team is equipping themselves with protective gear and decontamination tools while collaborating with local authorities to identify recovery sites. They are operating under a tight timeline before broader clean-up efforts commence.
The Alta Heritage Foundation estimates that 10% of homes lost in fires contain cremains, highlighting the necessity for continued support and resources in disaster archaeology. The foundation has mobilized over 250 volunteer archaeologists since 2017, responding to numerous wildfire disasters across the region.
Those interested in supporting the recovery efforts can contribute tax-deductible donations or share information about the foundation’s services with affected communities.
For inquiries, contact Janet Eastman at 503-294-4072 or jeastman@oregonian.com.
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