Archaeological Resources

Section 3D Archaeological Resources Introduction This section evaluates potential impacts on archaeological resources impacts resulting associated with from the proposed Malibu Legacy Park project. Mitigation measures are recommended for those impacts that were determined to be significant. The proposed Malibu Legacy Project has four three main elements that could affect archaeological resources: 1) stormwater detention and treatment; 2) public park development, including Legacy Park and the Linear Park; and 3) habitat restoration; and 4) wastewater treatment and reuse. Since the wastewater/reuse element is in the preliminary planning and design phases, a detailed analysis of impacts to archaeological resources would be provided in a subsequent environmental document. For the purposes of this section, “project area” refers to the area that encompasses the extents of the four three main elements described above. The “Legacy Park site” refers to the 15-acre parcel bounded by Civic Center Way to the north, Webb Way to the west, Cross Creek Road to the east, and Pacific Coast Highway to the south. The “Linear Park site” refers to the 20-foot-wide area along the north side of Civic Center Way between Webb Way and Cross Creek Road that would be developed as a landscaped pathway with bioswales. The “Wastewater treatment plant site” refers to the area where the wastewater treatment plant could be located. The project area, including the Legacy Park site, Linear Park site, wastewater treatment plant site, and areas where subterranean archaeological resources could be disturbed (i.e., by the proposed pipelines and dispersal areas associated with the stormwater and wastewater elements of the project) were subject to an archaeological record search, archaeological survey, and sensitivity analysis for cultural resources. Malibu Legacy Park Project 3D-1 January 2009 Environmental Impact Report J&S 61139.06 Section 3D. Archaeology Setting Environmental Setting The project area is located on the USGS Malibu Beach 7.5-minute quadrangle map in Township 1 South, Range 17 West, in an unsectioned portion of the Topanga Malibu Sequit. The project area is located on an old marine terrace within a region that consists primarily of mountains and hills flanked or separated by narrow to moderately broad valleys. The geology of the area is defined by the Transverse Ranges, which extend from Point Arguello on the coast to the eastern end of the Little San Bernardino Mountains to as far east as the Eagle Mountains, some 50 miles from the Colorado River. The region is topographically diverse and comprises 13 geologic and topographic units, among them the Santa Monica Mountains and their westward extension and the northern Channel Islands. The units are composed principally of several thousand feet of mildly metamorphosed argillaceous rocks, dominated by argillite, phyllite, and slate grading into mica and chlorite schists (Demcak 1996). The Legacy Park site includes a 15-acre parcel that is bounded by Webb Way to the west, Civic Center Way to the north, the Malibu Country Mart shopping center on Cross Creek Road to the east, and Pacific Coast Highway to the south. The Linear Park site includes an area along the north side of Cross Creek Road that would be developed as a landscaped walkway with bio-swales. Malibu Creek (a blue line stream) and Malibu Lagoon are located approximately 0.25 mile east of the proposed Legacy Park site. On the far eastern boundary of the project area, another 0.25 mile east of Malibu Creek, is Sweetwater Mesa Creek, a north–south trending blue line stream that may be affected by the proposed recycled water pipeline associated with the wastewater element of the project. A drainage feature, depicted on the 1932 USGS Las Flores 15-minute quadrangle map, lies 0.25 mile west of the Park. Winter Canyon (a blue line stream) is located north of Pacific Coast Highway on the far western boundary of the project area. The Adamson House, situated just over 25 feet above mean sea level (amsl), is located on the east side of Malibu Lagoon. Malibu Bluffs Park is located south of Pacific Coast Highway. The Pacific Ocean lies to the south. Broad low-lying delta sediments lie to the west of Malibu Lagoon, within the Park area. It is probable that the Lagoon migrated within this delta setting over time. Elevation in the project area ranges from sea level to 25 to 100 feet amsl. Slightly elevated beachfront land exists along the eastern and western edges of the Lagoon. Historically, Malibu Lagoon once extended beyond its current boundaries, but a substantial portion of the low-lying areas near the mouth of Malibu Creek were filled in during the 1940s and 1950s. As a result of urban encroachment, the present-day Malibu Lagoon covers a very small portion of its historic area. The Malibu Creek Bridge along Pacific Coast Highway dissected and constricted the Lagoon’s surface Malibu Legacy Park Project 3D-2 January 2009 Environmental Impact Report J&S 61139.06 Section 3D. Archaeology area, and by the 1970s, the Lagoon was partially filled and covered by two baseball fields. In 1982, these baseball fields were removed and the western arms of the Lagoon were restored. Soils occurring within and surrounding the Lagoon are typical of a coastal valley floor alluvial landform and include Elder sandy loam, Sorrento loam, river wash, and coastal beach. Vegetation within the project area consists of various types of coastal scrub and salt, brackish, and freshwater marsh habitats, with many nonnative and ruderal species. Malibu Lagoon supports numerous bird and invertebrate species, including over 200 bird species and two endangered fish. Lagoon habitats do not support many mammal or reptile species; however, sea mammals may have been present prior to extensive development (Robinson 2006). Cultural Setting The prehistoric occupation of Southern California is divided chronologically into four temporal phases or horizons (Moratto 1984). Horizon I, or the Early Man Horizon, began at the first appearance of people in the region (approximately 12,000 years ago) and continued until about 5000 B.C. Although little is known about these people, it is assumed that they were semi-nomadic, subsisting primarily on game. Horizon II, also known as the Millingstone Horizon or Encinitas Tradition, began around 5000 B.C. and continued until about 1500 B.C. The Millingstone Horizon is characterized by widespread use of milling stones (manos and metates), core tools, and a few projectile points or bone and shell artifacts. This horizon appears to represent a diversification of subsistence activities and a more sedentary settlement pattern. Archaeological evidence suggests that hunting became less important and that reliance on collecting shellfish and vegetal resources increased (Moratto 1984). Horizon III, the Intermediate Horizon or Campbell Tradition, began around 1500 B.C. and continued until about A.D. 600–800. Horizon III is defined by a shift from the use of milling stones to increased use of mortar and pestle, possibly indicating a greater reliance on acorns as a food source. Projectile points become more abundant and, together with faunal remains, indicate increased use of both land and sea mammals (Moratto 1984). Horizon IV, the Late Horizon, which began around A.D. 600–800 and terminated with the arrival of Europeans, is characterized by dense populations; diversified hunting and gathering subsistence strategies, including intensive fishing and sea mammal hunting; extensive trade networks; use of the bow and arrow; and a general cultural elaboration (Moratto 1984). Malibu Legacy Park Project 3D-3 January 2009 Environmental Impact Report J&S 61139.06 Section 3D. Archaeology Ethnographic Setting The project area is in the vicinity of the Malibu Lagoon, which is within the territory of the Chumash Native American group (Grant 1978). The Chumash occupied the region from San Luis Obispo to Malibu Canyon on the coast, the four northern Channel Islands, and inland regions as far as the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley (Grant 1978). The Chumash are subdivided into subgroups based on six distinct language dialects: Barbareno, Ventureno, Purisimeno, Ynezeno, Obispeno, and Island. The project area is situated within the territory of the Ventureno, a coastal Chumash group (Grant 1978). The name is derived from the nearest mission, San Buenaventura. The Chumash lived along the coast from Malibu to San Luis Obispo. They also lived in the interior valleys, such as Santa Ynez, Cuyama, Santa Clara, and Simi. A Chumash village, Humaliwo, was located beyond the northeastern side of Malibu Lagoon on a small rise overlooking the Lagoon and the ocean. This is now the site of the Adamson House. The Chumash were very advanced in their culture, social organization, religious beliefs, and art and material object production (Morrato 1984). Class differentiation, inherited chieftainship, and inter-village alliances were all components of Chumash society. The Chumash were one of the most advanced Indian groups in California. They were excellent craftsmen and were known for well-made tools, bowls, and baskets. Of note are bowls and carvings of killer whales and other forms of sea life and effigies made from steatite. Sometimes the bowls were inlaid with colorful abalone shells. Other implements were made of sandstone, including large bowls. Flint, chert, and obsidian were used to make projectile points, drills, scrapers, choppers, and knives. Baskets made by the Chumash were outstanding in workmanship and design. Baskets were used for gathering seeds, bulbs, and roots. Water was stored and carried in baskets waterproofed on the inside with naturally occurring tar, called asphaltum. Asphaltum was used extensively by the Chumash to caulk canoes, or “tomols”; seal water baskets; attach shell inlay to bowls; and fasten arrow and spear points to shafts. Fishhooks were made of abalone shell. The major use for the shell, however, was for decoration.

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