All too often in cultural resource management, we follow the old methodology – sometimes for no better reason than to do what everyone has done before us. While this sets good standards, sometimes we forget our main goal as archaeologists – to tell the story of what the past evidence has left us. Sometimes, in order to tell this story thoroughly, we need to look at the material in new and creative ways. Have you ever wondered if that faunal element you were holding was food? Or maybe part of something bigger? This talk explores the idea that some of our common finds, especially bone tools, are more than they appear. Continue reading →

This lecture explores the historic and bioarchaeological evidence of females as combatants during times of trouble. This topic is discussed in relation to the historic, ethnographic and archaeological record of central California foraging societies. In previously published research, Schwitalla and colleagues have evaluated spatial and temporal patterns of skeletal evidence for violence from a bioarchaeological database of 16,820 individuals represented by people that lived in central California from 3050 B.C. to A.D. 1899. Schwitalla and colleagues demonstrated that sharp-force trauma wounds were more common among males. However, eyewitness accounts of women combatants during the historic era (A.D. 1720 – 1860) clearly indicate that indigenous females were active participants during colonial era conflicts. Some researchers have proffered that female involvement as combatants during historic times was a direct result of colonial intrusion and the desperation experienced by Native Californian groups. The evidence presented demonstrates that Native Americans in central California were egalitarians to the last arrow and those women warriors existed during all of prehistory. Continue reading →

A prehistoric, Middle-Archaic archaeological site in the Sierra Foothills, comprised of two bedrock milling stations and an extensive midden deposit, is situated in the middle of a planned housing development. It was identified in January 2015, tested in July 2015, and its eligibility was concurred upon by the Army Corps of Engineers and the State Historic Preservation Officer in July 2016. Preliminary obsidian hydration testing dates the site to circa 1,250 BP (Before Present). This talk describes the efforts made concerning avoidance, minimization, and mitigation of adverse effects to this site, and specifically touches on the extensive efforts employed by archaeologists and government agencies to finally decide on measures for a Historic Property Treatment Plan, Come hear the saga of how this came to pass, and hear the most recent updates on progress at this site! Continue reading →

Having worked in professional archaeology for 10 years, the past 3 years have been spent as lead archaeology monitor for a large ongoing construction project. You might think, no big deal, an archaeology monitor. Well, for this project, it is a big deal. There is a lot more to the role of an archaeology monitor on a large construction project than just watching heavy equipment digging holes. Read more. Continue reading →

Join SCAS for “The Use of Trained Canines to Detect Historical and Prehistoric Burials,” a talk by Adela Morris and Lynne Engelbert, of the Institute for Canine Forensics. The talk will be held on April 13, 2017, at 7:30 pm at … Continue reading →

Join SCAS on January 12, 2017, for “Looking Backward, While Working in the Present to Prepare for the Future: The California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) Information Centers,” a talk by Bryan Much, M.A., RPA, of the CHRIS Northwest Information … Continue reading →

Join SCAS on December 8, 2016, for “Golden Landscapes: Cultural Resources Management at Empire Mine State Historic Park,” a talk by Steven M. Hilton, Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program California State Parks. The talk will be held at 7:30 pm at … Continue reading →

Join SCAS on November 10, 2016, for “What Happened to Archaeology?: A Study of Changing Landscapes in Heritage Management, Glen Ellen California,” a talk by Charlie Mikulik. The talk will be held at 7:30 pm at the Santa Cruz Live Oak … Continue reading →

Join SCAS on October 27, 2016, for “The Mysterious ‘Angled Adobe’ of Mission Santa Cruz,” a talk by Glenn Farris. The talk will be held at 7:30 pm at the Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange Hall at 1900 17th Ave, Santa … Continue reading →

Join SCAS on October 13, 2016, for “Disability and Care in California Prehistory: Interpreting Social Roles of Individuals with Disabilities from Santa Clara Valley (CA-SCL-38),” a talk by Karen Gardner. The talk will be held at 7:30 pm at the … Continue reading →