CA-MNT-1748/H

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Ecofacts

Mammal, Bird and Reptile Remains - Fish Remains - Invertebrate Remains

Oxygen Isotope Analysis - Archaeobotanical Remains

MAMMAL, BIRD, AND REPTILE REMAINS

The non–piscine faunal collection from CA–MNT–1748/H includes 1,627 specimens weighing 827.94 g. Burned bones (191 specimens) make up 14.2 percent of the collection. Eight specimens appear to have been worked and are all considered artifacts. Three specimens show cut marks. A total of 312 fragments was identified to species, genus, or family level (23.2%). The majority of the remaining bones (1010 specimens or 60% of the collection) could only be identified to order level and most of these could only be identified as large, medium, or small mammal. A few fragments (22 specimens or less than 2% of the collection) were identified as vertebrata.

Like CA-MNT-910, the site produced an abundance of bones from small burrowing animals, suggesting the likelihood of stratigraphic mixing. Ground squirrel ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) (NISP=191) are profuse, together accounting for 11.7 percent of the collection. Remains of the pocket gopher (NISP=24), a notorious burrower, are present as well.

While some fraction of the ground squirrel remains and other small animal remains are probably evidence of prehistoric diets, it is equally clear that some if not the majority are modern intrusions, and there is no way to distinguish the modern specimens from the prehistoric ones. Only the bones from the larger, non–burrowing native animals can be confidently attributed to the prehistoric occupation. Excluding the remains of burrowing and otherwise intrusive animals, the excavation produced a total of 132 elements that were most likely of economic significance to prehistoric site inhabitants. This collection is dominated by wood rat (Neotoma sp.) (NISP =48; 36.36%), followed by Audubon’s cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii) (NISP = 44; 33.33%), cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus sp.)(NISP = 13; 9.85%), deer (Odocoleus hemionus) (NISP = 13; 9.85%), jack rabbit (Lepus californicus) (NISP = 7; 5.30%) and dog/coyote (Canis latrans) (NISP = 4; 3.03%). Also represented in low numbers are striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), badger (Taxidea taxus) and grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
The collection also contains seven elements from non-native species introduced from Europe into North America during the historic era: one chicken bone, five cow/steer bones, and one sheep bone. All of these are species that were kept at nearby Mission San Antonio, and their presence here is consistent with other evidence for post-contact occupation including the glass trade bead.

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FISH REMAINS

Fish remains were analyzed by Ken Gobalet and Kalie Hardin using the reference collection housed at the Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield. Fish were represented only at CA-MNT-1748/H where a total of 16 elements was recovered, weighing 1.29 g. Of these, 12 were identified to the family level or better. An additional four fragments were classified simply as bony fish. The collection included only marine species: cabezon (Scopaenichthys marmoratus (NISP=5), rockfish (Sebastes sp.) (NISP=3), rock or black prickleback (Xiphister sp.) (NISP=3),and monkeyface prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus) (NISP=1). All of these are rocky coast species that are common among kelp beds and rock reefs of the Big Sur coast. A fossilized tooth from a shortfin mako shark was also described in Chapter 5. This item probably of some ornamental value and was not dietary. An identical element was recovered from CA-MNT-879 suggesting that shark teeth may have had some cultural significance to the Salinan during the Late Period.

Dietary conversions from the CA-MNT-1748/H show a similar emphasis on terrestrial mammals (86.5%), but marine fish (2.4%) and especially shellfish (11.1%) had significantly more dietary importance at this site than at CA-MNT-910. The percentage for shellfish is one of the higher values obtained from any site within FHL.

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INVERTEBRATE REMAINS

Size distribution frequencies of Mussel shells from CA-MNT-1748/H compared to experimental data taken from Big Creek (“pristine environment”)

Columns were excavated into the completed walls of Units 2 and 6. Unit 2 was excavated to a depth of 50.0 cm, while Unit 6 was excavated to 130 cm. Total recovery volume from the two samples was 0.08 m3. The column samples showed evidence of eight taxa. The column samples were dominated by the remains of California mussel (Mytilus californianus) (93.9%) which is consistent with findings from other sites at FHL including the Late Period component at CA–MNT–237. Most of the other taxa are typical representatives of the high–energy rocky shores found on the Big Sur coast. Mussels were followed in importance by barnacles (Balanus sp.) (3.5%), and chiton (1.6%). It is likely that the barnacles and some of other species were “riders,” or shells that were carried in attached to other species. Experimentation with the so–called stripping strategy used to collect mussels throughout most of the sequence at Big Sur (Jones and Richman 1995) showed that at least ten species of riders, including barnacles, limpets, and turban snails were commonly included with the mussels when this techniques was used. The assemblage from CA–MNT–1748/H is typical of the inventory associated with stripping.

From a recovery volume of 0.08 m3 from the two columns, a total of 773.8 g of shell was recovered. Extrapolating from the columns volumetrically, this represents a total of 155.4 kg of shell for the full site recovery volume (16.07 m3). Size estimates were completed for a total of 2090 mussel shells. Size distribution frequencies conform most closely with a stripping strategy.

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OXYGEN ISOTOPE ANALYSIS

Oxygen isotope analyses were completed on 20 mussel (Mytilus californianus) shells from CA-MNT-1748/H to evaluate the seasonality of mussel collection. The study builds on the results of previous research reported by Kennett (2002, 2003), and Jones and Kennett (1999). Studies of modern marine molluscs from known environments indicate that oxygen isotopic analysis is an effective method for reconstructing sea surface temperature (Epstein et al. 1951, 1953; Glassow et al. 1994; Kennett and Voorhies 1995, 1996; Killingley 1981; Killingley and Berger 1979; Shackleton 1969, 1973). This is because the temperature dependent ratio of 18O to 16O in sea water preserves in calcareous fossils, such as molluscs (Epstein et al. 1951, 1953; Wefer and Berger, 1991). Incremental samples taken along a shell’s growth axis enable reconstruction of oxygen isotopic ratios, and hence, seasonal temperature changes through the life of a mollusc. Readings from the final growth increment of a mussel’s shell indicate sea temperature at the time the mollusc was collected, which can in turn be used to determine the season during which the shell was collected.

Comparison of oxygen isotopic profiles from the archaeological shells with the historic temperatures provides insights into the seasonality of mussel collection. Based on the calibration curve developed by Horibe and Aba (1972), sea-surface temperatures recorded in the carbonate of the archaeological samples were between 9.96 and 17.23°C. This is within the range of 9.86-17.39°C recorded historically for the Monterey Bay, but shows warm season temperatures slightly above the maximum recorded in the shorter historic record available for Big Sur (9.41- 15.35°C). It is also within the range of 7.31-18.87°C ascribed to central coast for the period A.D. 1-1700 in the study by Jones and Kennett (1999).

Findings from edge readings were compared with these ranges to determine season of collection, with additional comparison between edges and samples taken 2 mm in from the edges to determine ascending versus descending temperatures. The latter facilitates a distinction between early summer and winter.

The 20 readings from the terminal edges showed strong patterning. None of the readings were greater than 13.50 °C. All but one clustered between 10.92 and 13.50°C. Thirteen readings fall within the Spring zone and none whatsoever represent the warm sea temperature months of late Summer/early Fall.

Further evaluations on the seven intermediate zone specimens showed that five of these specimens exhibited descending temperatures suggesting winter, while two had ascending temperatures suggesting early summer.

Overall, the available sample produced 13 readings indicating Spring, 5 suggesting Winter and 2 indicating early Summer. No readings reflect late Summer/Fall. Assuming that sea mussels were not a primary staple at these interior sites, and that mussels were transported to the interior when people migrated from the coast to the interior, the seasonality findings suggest that movement from the coast to the interior took place between late winter and early summer—most commonly in the spring. This is consistent with previous studies from the interior which also suggested an emphasis on spring collection/migration during the Late Period (Kennett 2003: 272). Previous studies, however, had only six readings for the Late Period, and the present sample is much more substantive.

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ARCHAEOBOTANICAL REMAINS

by Eric Wohlgemuth

Deposits targeted for flotation sampling included two ash concentrations (Feature 1 Unit 6 and feature 1 Unit 2), a sample of the house floor (Unit 2 Feature 2), and bulk soil from beneath the floor. Column samples from units 2 and 6 were also subjected to flotation recovery. In all, 141.5 liters of sediment were flotation-processed.

Flotation samples were processed employing a manual technique used throughout central California (Wohlgemuth 1989). Buoyant light fraction was collected using 40 inch mesh (0.4 mm) screen, and heavy fraction washed through 3 mm (1/8") and 1 mm (window screen) mesh. Inasmuch as recovery effectiveness measured at other sites ranges from 85-95% of dense nutshell and berry pits, and over 98% of small seeds, only the buoyant light fraction material was sorted for plant remains.

The four feature samples, comprising 58.3 liters of sediment, were selected for analysis.. Light fraction was size sorted using 2.0 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.7 mm, and 0.5 mm mesh. Analysis was limited to material larger than 0.5 mm. All seed and fruit remains were sorted from sorted portions of size grades larger than 0.7 mm, while only small seeds were sorted from the 0.5 mm grade. Due to the high frequency of seed and fruit remains in most samples, redundancy of data was reached quickly in sorting the smaller grades. Estimates of total sample contents for each taxon were calculated from the quantities found in subsampled portions (see Table f1). For example, in sample 1 (from the Unit 6 ash lens), acorn nutshell was sorted from 100% of the 2 mm grade, but only 25% of the 1 mm grade and 10% of the 0.7 mm grade. An estimate of the total count of acorn nutshell was calculated by multiplying the 153 pieces in the 0.7 mm grade by ten, and the 56 pieces from the 1.0 mm grade by four. These numbers were added to the 14 pieces from the 2.0 mm grade for an estimated sample 1 total of 1768 acorn nutshell fragments larger than 0.7 mm. In addition to constituent counts, remains of large-seeded nutshell and berry pit fragments were weighed to 0.1 mg. Charcoal larger than 1 mm was weighed to 0.1 gram.

All seed, fruit, and underground parts, including unburnt contaminants, were removed from the sorted portions of samples. Segregated constituents, mostly burnt seed and fruit residues, were stored in translucent hard plastic centrifuge tubes with acid-free paper tags denoting site trinomial, sample number, size grade, and a code for constituent type. All items of a single type or taxon were stored (in separate centrifuge tubes for each provenience and size grade) in 2 mil plastic bags with acid-free paper labels. All tags were labeled with #2 pencil.

RESULTS

A total of 1,257 large seed fragments was identified to genus at CA-MNT-1748/H along with 163 small seeds identified to plant family. Of the latter, 76 were identified to genus. In all, 7 genera of large seeds (inedible remains of nutshell and berry pits) are represented along with 11 small seed genera. One bulb fragment of the Brodiaea/Dichelostemma group was also identified. Density per liter of sediment of large and small seed remains (to control for variable sample volume) is presented in Tables f2 and f3, respectively. Information on aboriginal uses and botanical attributes of burnt plant taxa identified is presented in below.

DISCUSSION

The taxa identified from MNT-1748/H are consistent with findings at dozens of central California archaeological sites (e.g., Wohlgemuth 1996a), and for the most part, with food plants described in the few ethnobotanies from the region (Barrett and Gifford 1933; Bocek 1984; Chesnut 1902; Duncan 1962). The assemblage of charred seeds largely appears to be the product of aboriginal cultural activities, and to be primarily dietary debris.

Charred large seeds from CA-MNT-1748/H are notable for the dominance of acorn nutshell, which by count comprises 89.7% of specimens, and by weight 66.1%. The abundance of acorn residue is consistent with ethnographic characterizations of acorns as the staple plant food of most California Indian groups (Baumhoff 1963; Kroeber 1925; McCarthy 1993). Also ubiquitous are nutshell of gray pine and bay nut; while these pale in comparison to acorn debris, these probably represent nuts commonly consumed at the site. In contrast, other nut and berry remains are comparatively rare, and appear to have been seldom used at the site.

Charred small seeds are uncommon with respect to well-documented Late Period sites further to the north in central California, notably the Bay Area (Wohlgemuth 1996a, 1996b, 1997a, 1997b ). Of interest is the abundance of filaree, an introduced taxa from Eurasia. Filaree comprises 41.2% of the small seeds identified to genus, a very high frequency for central California small seed associations, which tend to be characterized by evenness rather than focused use of particular taxa (Wohlgemuth 1996a). The high frequency of filaree, however, is consistent with several protohistoric and historic period sites sampled in a wider area of central California; where filaree is found consistently in archaeological sites, it tends to dominate the assemblage (Honeysett 1991; Wohlgemuth 1997c; Wohlgemuth and Darcangelo 1994). While filaree is poorly documented in ethnobotanies from the region, it has been identified from coprolites at Bamert Cave (AMA-3) in the Sierran foothills (Heizer and Hester 1973), and thus appears to have been adopted as a food source throughout central California. The high frequency of seeds identified only to the bean family (Fabaceae) at CA-MNT-1748/H is also likely to represent at least some incidence of introduced taxa as well.

In contrast to the abundance of filaree is the absence of several small-seeded taxa typically found in sites of all time periods, including red maids (Calandrinia sp.), farewell to spring (Clarkia sp.), wild barley (Hordeum sp.), and maygrass (Phalaris sp.). While several taxa common in prehistoric deposits were found, some of them consistently if in low numbers, the small seed assemblage from CA-MNT-1748/H appears diminished with respect to Late Period sites not only in frequency, but in diversity.

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References Cited

Barrett, S. A., and E. W. Gifford
1933 Miwok Material Culture. Bulletin of the Milwaukee Public Museum 2(4):117-376.

Baumhoff, M. A.
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Bocek, B. R.
1984 Ethnobotany of Costanoan Indians, California, Based on Collections by John Harrington. Economic Botany 38(2):240-255.

Chesnut, V. K.
1902 Plants Used by the Indians of Mendocino County, California. Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium 7:294-422.

DuBois, C. A.
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Duncan, J. W.
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Epstein, S., Buchsbaum, R., Lowenstam, H. and H. Urey
1951 Carbonate-Water Isotopic Temperature Scale. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 62: 417-426.

1953 Revised Carbonate-Water Isotopic Temperature Scale. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 64: 1315-1326.

Glassow, M., D.J. Kennett, J.P. Kennett, and L.R. Wilcoxon
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Heizer, R. F., and T. R. Hester
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Hickman, J. C. (ed)
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Honeysett, E.
1991 Appendix F: Seed Analysis Report. In The Fredenberg Site: Cultural Resource Data Recovery at CA-CAL-1218. Submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Calaveras County, California.

Horibe, Y. and T. Oba
1972 Temperature scales of aragonite-water and calcite-water systems. Fossils 23/24: 69-79.

Jones, T.L., and D. Kennett
1999 Late Holocene Sea Temperatures Along the Central California Coast. Quaternary Research 51: 74–82.

Jones, T.L., and Richman
1995 On Mussels: Mytilus californianus as a Prehistoric Resource. North American Archaeologist #16: 33-58.

Kennett, D.J.
2002 Appendix VI: Oxygen Isotope Analysis of California Mussel (Mytillus californianus) shells. In Prehistory at San Simeon Reef: Archaeological Data Recovery at CA-SLO-179, and -267, San Luis Obispo County, California. San Luis Obispo County Archaeological Society, Occasional Paper No. 16.

2003 Appendix I: Oxygen isotope analysis of California mussel (Mytilus californianusis) shells from CA-MNT-521, -569B, -1223, -1227, -1233, and CA-SLO-267. In Prehistoric Human Ecology of the Big Sur Coast, California, Edited by T.L. Jones, 255-275. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility No. 61. University of California, Berkley.

Kennett, D. J. , and B. Voorhies
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1996 Oxygen isotopic analysis of archaeological shells to detect seasonal use of wetlands on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. Journal of Archaeological Science 23: 689-704.

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1981 Seasonality of Mollusk Collecting Determined from 18O Profiles of Midden Shells. American Antiquity 48: 152-158.

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McCarthy, H.
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1973 Oxygen Isotope Analysis as a Means of Determining Season of Occupation of Prehistoric Midden Sites. Archaeometry 15: 133-141.

Stebbins, G. L.
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Wohlgemuth, E.
1989 Archaeobotanical Remains. Appendix H of Prehistory of the Sacramento River Canyon, Shasta County, California, by M.E. Basgall and W.R. Hildebrandt. Center for Archaeological Research at Davis Publication 9.

1996a Resource Intensification in Prehistoric Central California: Evidence from Archaeobotanical Data. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 18(1):81-103.

1996b Plant Remains from Flotation Samples. Chapter 12 of Archaeological Excavations and Burial Removal at Sites CA-ALA-483, CA-ALA-483 Extension, and CA-ALA-555, Pleasanton, Alameda County, California, by R. S. Wiberg, 189-200. Report on file at the Northwest Information Center, Department of Anthropology, Sonoma State University.

1997a Plant Remains. In Archaeological and Geoarchaeological Investigations at Eight Prehistoric Sites in the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Area, Contra Costa County, California, by J. Meyer and J.S. Rosenthal, Appendix H. Report on file at Northwest Information Center, Sonoma State University.

1997b Plant Remains from Flotation Samples. Chapter 10 of Archaeological Excavations at Site CA-SOL-356, Fairfield, Solano County, California, by R.S. Wiberg. Report on file, Northwest Information Center, Sonoma State University.

1997c Archaeobotanical Analysis. In The Taylors Bar Site (CA-CAL-1180/H): Archaeological and Ethnohistoric Investigations in Calaveras County, California, by R. Milliken. Submitted to Calaveras County Water District.

Wohlgemuth, E., and M. Darcangelo
1994 Floral Remains. In Archaeological Data Recovery: Site CA-SHA-961, Girvan road at Olney Creek, Redding, Shasta County, California, Final Report of Excavations, by P. Jensen. Submitted to J. F. Shea Co., Inc., Redding, California.

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