Archaeological Excavations of the Old and New Russian Magazins, FRSHP
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19005 Coast Highway One, Jenner, CA 95450 ■ 707.847.3437 ■ [email protected] ■ www.fortross.org Title: Archaeological Excavations of the Old and New Russian Magazins, FRSHP Author(s): Newland and Meyer Source: Fort Ross Conservancy Library URL: http://www.fortross.org/lib.html Unless otherwise noted in the manuscript, each author maintains copyright of his or her written material. Fort Ross Conservancy (FRC) asks that you acknowledge FRC as the distributor of the content; if you use material from FRC’s online library, we request that you link directly to the URL provided. If you use the content offline, we ask that you credit the source as follows: “Digital content courtesy of Fort Ross Conservancy, www.fortross.org; author maintains copyright of his or her written material.” Also please consider becoming a member of Fort Ross Conservancy to ensure our work of promoting and protecting Fort Ross continues: http://www.fortross.org/join.htm. This online repository, funded by Renova Fort Ross Foundation, is brought to you by Fort Ross Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) and California State Park cooperating association. FRC’s mission is to connect people to the history and beauty of Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ExcAVATIONS OF THE OLD AND NEw RussiAN MAGAZINS FoRT Ross STATE HISTORIC PARK SoNOMA CouNTY, CALIFORNIA FINAL REPORT prepared for Dan Osanna, State Historian Northern Service Center California Department of Parks and Recreation One Capital Mall, Suite 500 Sacramento, California 95814 prepared by Michael D. Newland, M.A., RPA Staff Archaeologist and Michael D. Meyer, M.A., RPA Staff Archaeologist Anthropological Studies Center Sonoma State University Academic Foundation, Inc. 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Building 29 Rohnert Park, CA 94928 phone: (707) 664-2381 fax: (707) 664-4155 www.sonoma.edu/projects/asc e-mail: [email protected] 30 October 2003 Project QA408 15/03 This project was completed under the supervision of Dr. Adrian Praetzellis (Registered Professional Archeologist), Director, Anthropological Studies Center. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Several people were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. First and foremost, Dr. Sandra Hollimon of Sonoma State University and Ranger Dan Murley (retired) volunteered many hours of their time with the excavation, and were wellsprings of knowledge regarding the history and archaeology of the fort. Their daughters, Oona and Hannah were likewise a big help with the excavation. Ranger Bill Walton provided exceptional logistical help getting us in and out of the fort, setting up camping areas, and supplying additional information regarding previous archaeological efforts. Senior Park Aide Sarah Gould and Park Interpretive Specialist Robin Joy Wellman were consistently helpful and cheerful in obtaining equipment, literature, storage space, and phone and computer access when needed. Both Sarah and Robin were also extremely knowledgeable about the fort's history and were able to answer many of our contextual questions. Dr. Glenn Farris of the California Department of Parks and Recreation was endlessly patient with our trips to his lab and numerous questions regarding excavation minutiae from decades of study at the fort. Special thanks go to Denise Frazier, Kim and Hank Hillsman, Matthew Singer and his mother, Elena Hoffnagle and her father John Hoffnagle, Ashley DeSheilds and Bridgette DeSheilds, Taylor Sink and his father Mayor Taylor Sink, Cory Munger and Ms. Rebecca Munger, Margo and Jack Meyer, Richard Shultz, Mark Walker, Beatrice Cox, and Mary Ann George, for sacrificing a weekend to volunteer for the tedious work of careful excavation, and doing an excellent job of it. Finally, I would like to thank Gina George for similarly giving many hours of her time, both in the field and at home, helping with the volunteer efforts and troubleshooting many of the conclusions of this report. Fort Ross Magazin Excavation QA408-15/03 CONTENTS Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... i Chapter 1 lntroduction .............................................................................................................................. l The Natural Environment of Fort Ross ................................................................................................ l Chapter 2 Native American Land Use and Occupation ....................................................................... 1 The First Occupants ................................................................................................................................ 1 The Kashaya Porno .................................................................................................................................. ~ Native American Contact with Non-Native Exploreres and Settlers .............................................. fi Chapter 3 Russian and Euroamerican Land Use and Occupation ................................................... l.Q The Arrival of the Russians ................................................................................................................. l.Q The American Period ............................................................................................................................ 11 The Two Magazins ................................................................................................................................ .12 Chapter 4 Archaeological Overview and Current Study ................................................................... 25 Previous Archaeological Work ............................................................................................................ 25 Archaeological Study Outside the Stockade ................................................................................. 25 Excavations Inside the Stockade ..................................................................................................... 26 Excavation of the Magazins ............................................................................................................. 28 Chapter 5 The Current Study ................................................................................................................. 34 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Field Methods .................................................................................................................................... 39 Laboratory Methods ......................................................................................................................... 39 Findings .................................................................................................................................................. 43 Architectural Features ...................................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 6 Interpretation and Discussion ............................................................................................. 46 Discussion of Artifacts .......................................................................................................................... 46 Native American Lithic Material ................................................................................................... 46 Trade Beads ........................................................................................................................................ 4 7 Ceramics ............................................................................................................................................. 4 7 Glass .................................................................................................................................................... 48 Rimlock ............................................................................................................................................... 48 Discussion of Building Materials ........................................................................................................ 49 Brick .................................................................................................................................................... 49 Window Glass .................................................................................................................................... 50 Wood ................................................................................................................................................... 50 Stone .................................................................................................................................................... 50 Nails .................................................................................................................................................... n Metal ................................................................................................................................................... n Discussion of Architectural Features ................................................................................................. n Old Magazin Foundations ............................................................................................................... n New Magazin ...................................................................................................................................