Ancient remains remain a mystery

January discovery ignited city probe, with security bill alone reaching six figures

- EMILY FAGAN

Officials have not confirmed if the remains on Withrow Avenue are connected to the Indigenous remains and artifacts dating back an estimated 5,000 years that were found in the area of Withrow Avenue Junior Public School, which is across the street.

A van slows to a stop on Withrow Avenue where one lane of traffic is blocked by fencing, which houses a large white and yellow tent, surrounded by a flurry of traffic cones and police tape. A man leans out of the van, propped up on his elbow, as he signals for the attention of a Logixx Security guard standing at the fence.

“Hey man, I’ve got to ask — why the hell did they hire you to look at this tent?” the man in the car says.

It’s a question the security guard — who requested the Star withhold his name, as he is not authorized to speak to media — gets asked multiple times a day, as he watches the tent to make sure it stays undisturbed. He tells them what he knows from his three weeks on the job: ancient Indigenous remains were uncovered there, and the city is currently investigating; no, he doesn’t know how much longer it will be, or when the tent will be gone.

And every 40 minutes, he takes photos and logs into his phone what did, or more often, did not, happen at the site.

“Usually, (something) does not happen, but we still have to look at the fence,” he said.

While it may seem monotonous, he is guarding something precious.