User:Pretzelles/Laxgalt

Name
The name has been recorded as Lax̱g̱altsʼap, Lax̱ḵaltsap, and Lakalzap. In the Nisga'a language, the name translates to "dwelling place comprised of dwelling places".

History
Evidence of pre-European human remains have been discovered within Lax̱g̱altsʼap.

During a July 1981 construction project in the southern area of the village, approximately 135 m from the Nass River, a burial site was discovered by contractors. Over the next three years, a series of excavations were carried out across the site by the National Museum of Man and the Lakalzap Indian Band council. Archaeologists identified a total of 57 individuals buried at the site, with two more burials being discovered in a nearby excavation. No evidence of pre-European buildings were found, but a hearth was located on the site which may have been used for ceremonial purposes when burying the dead. The site is believed to have been in use for approximately 700 years, ending some time between 1200 and 1300 CE.

At some point, the old Lax̱g̱altsʼap village was abandoned for Gitiks village.

Modern history
In 1877, a Methodist mission was formed on the site of the old Lax̱g̱altsʼap village.

The mission site saw an increase in population during the late 20th century, when the villages of Gitiks and Angidaa were abandoned.