CA-MNT-910

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Cultural Chronology

Radiocarbon Determinations

Six shell samples were submitted for radiocarbon dating from depths between 10 and 70 cm. Despite the range of depths, the specimens produced very similar results. The uncalibrated radiocarbon ages range from 1290+50 to 560+40 years. Both the oldest and the youngest dates were obtained from the same depth: 20-30 cm below surface. Typical of sites at FHL the dates show little if any superposition reflecting the extensive bioturbation from ground burrowing animals. The calibrated dates range from A.D. 1390 to 1650 (upwelling correction of 290+35) and between A.D. 1410 and 1650 (upwelling correction value of 325+35). The one–sigma probabilities are A.D. 1310–1680 and 1330–1690 respectively. Generalizing from these data, CA-MNT-910 can be dated to ca. A.D. 1350-1650 based on radiocarbon results.

Obsidian Hydration and XRF Results

An obsidian drill fragment recovered from the 50-60 cm level of Unit 2 (Specimen No. 910-2-25) produced a hydration reading of 3.9 microns. XRF analysis shows that the obsidian originated from the Napa source in north central California. The hydration reading is inconsistent with the radiocarbon determinations, which is not uncommon on the central coast (see discussion by Jones and Ferneau 2002: 66-69).

Shell and Stone Beads

A total of 13 beads were recovered including two steatite examples, three made from keyhole limpet shells, one Haliotis ornament, and eight from Olivella (Table A-2). The beads represent seven types: steatite disks (N=2), keyhole limpet beads (N=3), oval thin lipped Olivella (E1b) (N=1), tiny Olivella saucer (G1)(N=1), small normal Olivella saucer (G2)(N=1), and cupped Olivella K1 (N=4), and one unique Haliotis ornament.

The steatite disk beads (specimens 910-1-6 and 2-20) and are both gray in color. While this type has been attributed to both the Middle and Late Periods in the Santa Barbara area it is clearly a Late Period marker on the central coast and is typical of the Dolan Phase. Other examples are known from CA-MNT-879 within FHL.

The three keyhole limpet beads (specimens 910-3115, 4-10, and 4-11), made using the natural hole in the apex of keyhole limpet shells, all specimens show rough edges which suggest that their production was incomplete. Their temporal significance is unclear, but similar examples are known from the Santa Barbara area for most of the Early, Middle, and Late Periods. In other words, they do not appear to be highly time sensitive.

The lipped bead (class E) was the most abundant Olivella bead form during the Protohistoric and Historic Periods in central California. Within FHL and on the adjacent Big Sur coast, this is a common Late Period type. A number of similar examples were recovered from CA-MNT-879 (Haney et al. 2002).

Class G saucers are circular beads that are divided into types on the basis of overall diameter and perforation size. The collection contains one tiny Saucer (G1) and one normal small saucer (G2). The G1 type has a broad temporal range and can occur in any period, while normal saucers are confined to the Middle Period and Middle/Late transition in Central California.

Represented by four examples, the cupped (K1) type was the most abundant bead at CA-MNT-910. Callus beads (Class K) are small, thick, circular beads and the cupped type is a marker for Phase 1 of the Late period. Cupped beads were also recovered from CA-MNT-879
The final specimen (910-4-22) was a delicately made Haliotis ornament with two perforations. The ornament exhibits delicate incisions on two opposing edges. Neither of its narrow ends are square, but instead one is concave and the other is convex. This shape does not appear to be a product of breakage as both edges were fairly smooth, although the concave edge may have been created by some type of wear or abrasion. Similar, but not identical ornaments, are known from the Santa Barbara area where they occur during the Early, Middle, and Late periods (King 1982:375-378) although none of the Santa Barbara examples show incised edges. Non-incised examples are also known from the Middle Period in the Sacramento Valley (Elsasser 1978:40).

Beads and Shell ornaments from CA-MNT-910

Summary

The beads and ornaments are generally consistent with radiocarbon dates that suggest a Late Period or Dolan Phase occupation. Only the single G2 saucer bead is diagnostic of any time period other than Late. A single G2 saucer was also recovered from CA-MNT-1223, the type site for the Dolan Phase,which was initially occupied around A.D. 1200. The presence of a saucer bead at CA-MNT-910 may suggest a comparable date for the initial site use of this site. It is not unreasonable to conclude that CA-MNT-910 was occupied from A.D.1200 to 1650.

References Cited

Elsasser, A.B.; 1978; Development of regional prehistoric cultures. In California, edited by R.F. Heizer, 37-57. Handbook of North American Indians, vol. 8. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution.

Haney, J.W., T.L. Jones, and J. Farquhar; 2002; Archaeological Evaluation of CA-MNT-879, Fort Hunter Liggett, Monetery County, California. Albion Environmental, Santa Cruz. Copies available from the California Historic Resources Information System, Northwest Information Center, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park.

Jones, T.L. and J. Ferneau; 2002; Deintensification Along the Central California Coast. In Cultural Complexity Along the California Coast: The Late Holocene, edited by J. Erlandson and T. Jones, Universtiy of California, Los Angeles Instititue of Archaeology.

King, C.D.; 1982; The Evolution of Chumash Society: A Comparative Study of Artifacts Used in Social SystemMaintenance in the Santa Barbara Channel Region Before A.D. 1804. Ph.D. dissertation, Univeristy of California, Davis. University Microfilms, Ann Arbor.