Stewards of the Past

California is rich in history—from the earliest inhabitants with no written records to Spanish settlements and Gold Rush activities. Much of the record of the past, especially the prehistoric past, lies in the ground. These sites contain information that is precious and irreplaceable. There is concern, however, that this information is rapidly disappearing, often destroyed inadvertently through activities that could be avoided with proper knowledge and care.

Landowners who have historic or prehistoric sites on their property are the stewards of the past. In their safekeeping is the guardianship of these records for future generations to have the opportunity to learn from and experience history.

Landowner responsibility goes one step further. Knowledge of the past is considered part of the heritage of all Californians. For this reason, cultural resources are protected by law.

Protected resources include both historic and prehistoric artifacts as well as locations of cultural significance to local Native Americans which do not necessarily have visible artifacts or features. Important heritage values may include logging camps, emigrant trails, homesteads, Gold Rush era mining towns and features; prehistoric archaeological sites such as ancient Native American villages, campsites, milling stations, quarry locations or petroglyphs; or other specific locations of significance such as sacred peaks, ceremonial dance grounds, trails, guardian trees, cemeteries, gathering areas, or other sacred places.

Where to look

Sites are generally found in predictable locations although it’s important to be aware that there are exceptions.

Most prehistoric sites occur near sources of fresh drinking water—springs, seeps, drainages, streams, rivers, or ponds. Where streams meander through alluvial valleys, the most likely location is often back on the edge of the hillslope on slightly higher ground rather than directly along the stream.

Archaeological sites in California forests often occur in or along the margins of natural openings, especially those with water sources nearby. Sites may be found along ecotones, those edges where different plant communities come together.

Regional patterns vary—the most obvious indicator of archaeological sites may be Franciscan chert in northern California or bedrock mortars in the Sierra Nevada. It is important to determine the characteristics of sites in your area—common artifacts, location, type of art, and other patterns.

A typical Sierran site may contain a midden deposit, numerous bedrock mortars on granite exposures, surface artifacts, and perhaps rock art. The presence of nearby oak trees is also a good indicator of archeological sensitivity as they provided Native California people with their staple food—acorns.

Statewide, one of the best ways to identify an archeological deposit is by learning to recognize middens. Middens are refuse heaps that may contain items such as broken tools, burned bones, charcoal, waste flakes, cooking stones and broken equipment. There may also be chipped stone flakes from the manufacture of tools. Rodents often burrow into midden deposits resulting in black back-dirt piles that allow identification.

Look for a lens of dark soil in cut banks for possible buried deposits. Not all dark soil is midden. False middens may be formed near springs and under oak groves but middens can usually be identified by the following:

• localized soil color change
• an ashy, greasy feel
• dark film of fine sticky dust sticks to the hands if the soil is dry
• occurs in areas such as stream terraces, near springs, on ridgetops, etc.

Another important indicator of archeological resources are housepits. These circular depressions are remnants of structures or dwellings, usually found in open areas in the oak woodland as well as forests. Characteristics include:

• occurrence as a cluster of pits on a flat bench near water.
  
• midden and/or artifact scatters.
  
• earthen rim may be present.
• large rocks sometimes found inside the pits or around its perimeter.
  

Housepits may exceed 50' in diameter (dancehouse or roundhouse) but the typical dwelling is 10–15'. The most common type in California forests is the small family dwelling, 6–8' diameter and 1–2' deep. Housepit depressions in northwestern California are usually rectangular.

Another archeological feature is prehistoric rock art. These can be petroglyphs (designs pecked, scratched, or ground in rock surface) or pictographs (painted designs).

In the Sierra Nevada, bedrock milling stations can be found. These are circular holes or depressions ranging from 3–6" in diameter that generally occur in clusters on flat-topped rocks, boulders, or outcroppings. These bedrock mortar panels may be concealed by dirt or forest debris. Pestles, triangular or roughly cylindrical cobbles that exhibit wear on their end(s), may also be present. In addition, there may be grinding basins or metates seen as oval depressions with polished surfaces.

Map Review

There are many historical clues to be found by examining a 7.5' USGS quadrangle.

• Archeological sites within California forests usually occur in three main topographic settings: stream terraces, mid-slope benches, and ridgetops.
• Flat areas along streams are excellent locations for sites.
• Prehistoric sites often occur where two streams come together, especially the point of land immediately upstream from the confluence.
• Give extra attention to trending ridges, which prehistoric people used as travel routes through the mountains.
• Look for springs near ridgetops or ridgetop saddles. A ridgetop saddle is a low, flat area between two points of higher ground. These provide shelter from wind and also contain water sources and vegetation.
  
• Look for place names such as “Indian Bar” and “Arrowmakers Ridge” etc.
  
• Historic mines and ranches are sometimes shown on quad maps. These places may be historic homesteads in addition to camping places chosen by Native Americans as the best flat area near water.
  
• The margins of interior valleys are particularly sensitive since major prehistoric villages were often established there.
  

For more information on CDF’s Archaeology Program or the Forest Practice Rules for the Protection of Cultural Resources, visit the CDF website at http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf_archaelogy.html.

Special thanks to Dan Foster, CDF Senior State Archaeologist, for providing the information for this article.