California State University, San Bernardino CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations Office of aduateGr Studies 6-2017 ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY AND RESOURCE USE IN THE SALTON BASIN OF THE COLORADO DESERT Lindsay A. Porras California State University - San Bernardino Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Porras, Lindsay A., "ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY AND RESOURCE USE IN THE SALTON BASIN OF THE COLORADO DESERT" (2017). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 526. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/526 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Office of aduateGr Studies at CSUSB ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CSUSB ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY AND RESOURCE USE IN THE SALTON BASIN OF THE COLORADO DESERT A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, San Bernardino In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Applied Archaeology by Lindsay Allison Porras June 17 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY AND RESOURCE USE IN THE SALTON BASIN OF THE COLORADO DESERT A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, San Bernardino by Lindsay Allison Porras June 2017 Approved by: Dr. Amy E. Gusick, Committee Chair Dr. Peter Robertshaw, Committee Member © 2017 Lindsay Allison Porras ABSTRACT Prehistoric life in the Colorado Desert endured a variety of environmental extremes. Episodic flooding and shifts in the course of the Colorado River resulted in the infilling of the Salton Basin and created a large freshwater lake known as Lake Cahuilla. Settlement along the different segments of the lakeshore is considered variable and may reflect accessibility to nearby viable resources. Remains from archaeological excavations at lakeshore sites show that lacustrine resources and fishing opportunities attracted prehistoric groups to the ancient lake. How prehistoric groups organized themselves and utilized the lakeshore and nearby resources offer opportunities to explore the subsistence and mobility strategies of populations living in an oscillating environmental context. Using information generated from past Cultural Resource Management projects, the current study analyzes multiple data sets to address questions of a regional scale to more fully understand the effects of cyclical Lake Cahuilla on desert inhabitants. Analysis of existing collections and their associated documentation from late prehistoric habitation sites adjacent to the northwestern maximum shoreline as well as recessional shoreline sites some 30 miles to the south provide additional information on resource availability in a changing environment. It appears that in some circumstances the northwestern lakeshore inhabitants adapted to a changing environment and maintained occupation iii spanning multiple lake stands. During high stands, subsistence practices focused on lacustrine resources until no longer viable and habitation sites feature specialized subsistence technology reflecting fish procurement and processing. During lake recession, at least short-term habitation was sustained and corresponded to the exploitation of specific fish and waterfowl species. This study will help us better understand the strategies employed by groups who utilized the resources of this fluctuating lacustrine environment. Examination of resource use and mobility patterns practiced by prehistoric Lake Cahuilla inhabitants allows for interpretations of the adaptations necessary for life within this desert region. Ultimately, this research is applicable to broader anthropological queries on a regional scale. The Salton Basin is positioned within a geographical region that likely experienced influence and change from the surrounding environs. Gaining a deeper understanding of the study area will ultimately aid in future research concerning environmental adaptation, exchange relations, and culture change among the neighboring regions of the Mojave and Great Basin deserts, the agricultural Southwest, adjacent mountains and coast lines, and Baja California (Schaefer and Laylander 2007:381). Additionally, an understanding of how resource availability influenced past populations can contribute to ongoing and future studies concerned with resource management in the Colorado Desert and similar xeric environments. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My success as a student of archaeology and the completion of this thesis is owed to the many influential individuals who have shared with me a diversity of experiences and knowledge about archaeology and its related subjects. I greatly admire Professor Amy Gusick, my committee chair, who is a sterling example of how to conduct professional archaeology with ethic, brilliance, and energy. She has patiently guided me through the research process encouraging creative thought and objective analyses. My committee member, Professor Peter Robertshaw, has provided invaluable instruction on archaeological theory and methodology to ensure arguments are made with clarity. His expertise has provided an enlightening balance of constructive criticism and humor that I appreciate very much. I appreciate the guidance I received during my undergraduate studies under the tutelage of Professor Catherine Fowler, Ted Goebel, Donald Hardesty, and Gary Haynes, who stirred my fascination with both archaeology and the environment that has continued to develop through the inspiring instruction of my graduate studies professors, Russell Barber, Amy Gusick, Guy Hepp, Cherstin Lyon, and Peter Robertshaw. I am also grateful for the friendship and support extended and shared by the wonderfully talented students within the Applied Archaeology program who helped sustain my motivation and offer reassurance throughout the research process. I am honored and thankful for the research v support I have received from the ASA research grant provided by California State University, San Bernardino through the Anthropology Department, assistance from the Instructionally Related Programs Travel Committee, and Cogstone Resource Management. Additionally, I am grateful for the participation of several organizations who graciously provided me the information pertinent to this research. The Imperial Valley Desert Museum staff, including Archivist and Head Curator, Anne Morgan, museum Director, Neal Hitch, and educational staff, Marcie Rodrigues, Angelina Coble, and Edgar Bernal Sevilla, were most helpful in locating collections and were always enthusiastic about my research. CRM Tech Principal Investigator, Michael Hogan, and archaeologist, Daniel Ballester, were instrumental in providing me access and allowing me to utilize their archive of technical reports and supporting documents referenced in this research. I am appreciative of the assistance offered by Linda Williams, President of the La Quinta Historical Society, and Planning Manager, Gabe Perez, of the City of La Quinta Community Development Department, who diligently worked to locate the collections that contributed to this research. Also, Shaina Ho of the Eastern Information Center, and Jamie Lennox of the South Coastal Information Center politely accommodated my numerous visits and inquiries regarding various documents maintained at their facilities. Finally, I attribute much of my personal success to my loving and devoted family. I admire the numerous successes of my parents, L.D. and Shiela vi Andrews, and am thankful for their encouraging advice to seek happiness. I appreciate the friendship and support given to me by my wise and talented siblings, Stephanie McNairy and David Andrews. Lastly, I am beyond grateful for my loving and supportive, insanely talented, hard-working, and contagiously adventurous husband, Matt Porras, and his caring and creative parents, David and Nanette Porras, who have been a constant source of optimism and encouragement throughout my scholastic career. vii DEDICATION Dedicated to my parents Laurie Don Andrews and Shiela Kay Hanna, whom I admire dearly. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... xiii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................. xvi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Research in the Salton Basin ..................................................................... 1 Prehistoric Life in the Salton Basin ............................................................ 3 CHAPTER TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The Colorado Desert.................................................................................. 7 Life Zones and Biotic Resources..................................................... 7 Desert Fauna ............................................................................... 11 Lacustrine Environment..................................................................12 Geology of the Salton Basin .................................................................... 15 Lake Cahuilla Prehistory .............................................................. 17 Lake Chronology Studies