California State University, Northridge Circular Rock Features of the Liebre
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE CIRCULAR ROCK FEATURES OF THE LIEBRE-SAWMILL MOUNTAINS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE SAWMILL VALENTINE #03 CACHE SITE, ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology, Public Archaeology By Thalia Alexandria Ryder May 2014 The thesis of Thalia Alexandria Ryder is approved: ____________________________________ _____________ Michael J. McIntyre, M.A. Date ____________________________________ _____________ James E. Snead, Ph.D Date ____________________________________ _____________ Matthew R. Des Lauriers, Ph.D, Chair Date California State University, Northridge ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research project would never have been completed were it not for the many kind, caring, and supportive individuals who have helped me along the way. I give my sincere gratitude to those who have spent countless hours discussing, reviewing, and participating in my research efforts. You have continually encouraged and inspired me throughout this journey and I am extremely grateful. Thank you to the members of my thesis committee, Dr. Matthew Des Lauriers, Dr. James Snead, and Ranger Michael McIntyre, for providing me your support, extensive knowledge, and insightful commentary during the thesis writing process. Thank you to Bill Sapp, Daniel McCarthy, and Gina Griffith of the San Bernardino National Forest for playing an important role in my educational and professional development, and for providing me with invaluable opportunities to grow as an archaeologist. I am extremely indebted to the members of my Angeles National Forest family who have selflessly provided their support, encouragement, knowledge, and expertise throughout these past few years. This project would truly have not been possible without the help of Joanna Huckabee, Michael McIntyre, Douglas Milburn, David Peebles, and Darrell Vance. You have not only encouraged my development as a professional archaeologist, but have also inspired me in more ways than you know. Thank you for your continued support and friendship. A standing ovation is given to my excavation crew who volunteered countless hours to help haul buckets of dirt and sort through hundreds of rocks. Without the assistance of Mikael Fauvelle, Joanna Huckabee, Krystal Kissinger, Douglas Milburn, iii David Peebles, Laurel Schmidt, and Ann Stansell none of this would have been possible. Your motivation, persistence, and good humor during the long and tedious excavation process is greatly appreciated, and I am eternally thankful for your help. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my family who have provided their undying support and encouragement throughout all of my personal and professional pursuits. To my husband Rob, your love, strength, and support have inspired me to be the best person that I can, and I thank you for encouraging me to further my education and pursue my passion for archaeology. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE .......................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................x ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... xi INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 Project Overview .....................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1: ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT ................................4 Geographic Context .................................................................................................4 Geology ........................................................................................................5 Hydrology ....................................................................................................5 Paleoclimate .................................................................................................6 Flora .............................................................................................................7 Fauna ............................................................................................................8 Regional Chronology .............................................................................................10 Paleoindian Period (13,500 to 10,500 cal B.P.) .........................................10 Paleoarchaic Period (10,500 to 8,000 cal B.P.) .........................................12 Archaic Periods Early (8,000 to 4,000 cal B.P.)...................................................................13 Late (4,000 to 2,300 cal B.P.) ....................................................................15 Post-Archaic Period (2,300 to 1,000 cal B.P.) ...........................................16 Protohistoric Period (1,000 to 180 cal B.P.) ..............................................17 Historic Period (A.D. 1772 to 1890) ..........................................................19 v Ethnohistory of the Transverse Mountain Range ..................................................20 Tataviam/Alliklik .......................................................................................21 Subsistence and Settlement Patterns ..........................................................23 Social and Political Organization...............................................................24 Neighboring Shoshonean Groups ..........................................................................25 Gabrielino/Fernandeño ..............................................................................25 Serrano/Vanyume (Beñeme) ......................................................................26 Kitanemuk ..................................................................................................27 Neighboring Hokan Group ....................................................................................28 Chumash ....................................................................................................28 CHAPTER 2: THEORY AND METHODS ......................................................................29 Cultural Ecology and the Study of Hunter-Gatherers ............................................29 Modeling Hunter-Gatherer Land-Use Organization ..............................................30 Implications of Hunter-Gatherer Storage ...............................................................33 Environmental Variability and Storage .....................................................33 Storage, Sedentism, and Social Complexity ..............................................34 Small versus Large-Scale Storage .............................................................36 Research Framework .............................................................................................37 Questions and Hypotheses .....................................................................................38 Dating and Chronology ..............................................................................38 Form, Function, and Style ..........................................................................39 Land-Use Organization ..............................................................................41 Investigation Methods ............................................................................................42 vi CHAPTER 3: ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF THE LIEBRE-SAWMILL MOUNTAINS....................................................................................................................43 Previous Archaeological Research ........................................................................43 Bowers Cave ..............................................................................................44 Agua Dulce Village Complex ....................................................................45 Elderberry Canyon Village (Castaic Reservoir) ........................................45 Rowher Flat-Texas Canyon .......................................................................46 Previous Research within the Project Vicinity ......................................................47 Circular/Cluster Rock Feature Sites ...........................................................51 CHAPTER 4: ROCK FEATURE STUDIES .....................................................................56 Form, Function, and the Importance of Rock Features .........................................56 Cairns .........................................................................................................57 Living Structure Outlines ...........................................................................58 Hunting Blinds ...........................................................................................58 Thermal Features .......................................................................................59 Caches ........................................................................................................59 Granaries ....................................................................................................60