Excavating the Past for the Future: A Synthesis ofMarin County Prehistoric Archaeology by Eileen Barrow A thesis submitted to Sonoma State University in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS In Cultural Resources Management Thomas M. Origer, M.A. Ni~k L. Tipon;~ WNCXI~ioeJ Date Copyright 2009 by Eileen Barrow II AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF MASTER'S THESIS/PROJECT I grant permission for the reproduction ofthis thesis in its entirety, without further authorization from me, on the condition the person or agency requesting reproduction absorb the cost and provide proper acknowledgement of authorship. Date: Signature iii Excavating the Past for the Future: A Synthesis of Marin County Prehistoric Archaeology Thesis by Eileen Barrow ABSTRACT Purpose of Study: The goal of this thesis is to lay a strong foundation on which future research can build. To accomplish this goal I will create a synthesis of the Marin County archaeological data (excluding Point Reyes National Seashore), primarily using information generated by cultural resources management excavation reports. Specifically, I will examine data pertaining to prehistoric research themes such as cultural chronology, settlement and subsistence patterns, technology, and economic and social organization. Most of the data needed to conduct this work are managed and stored by the California Historical Resources Information System; however, this synthesis would be incomplete if it did not include data generated through other means such as thesis and dissertation work. These data will be used to build a framework that 1) reflects the current state of research in prehistoric archaeology in Marin County, 2) identifies research 'dead zones', and 3) identifies research areas that would benefit from further study. It is my goal that this thesis will help enhance the work cultural resource managers do by using their data to create a synthesis of Marin County prehistoric archaeology. Procedure: All cultural resources management (CRM) excavation reports, theses, and dissertations on sites within Marin County (excluding sites within Point Reyes National Seashore) were examined for this study. Data contributing to the archaeological research themes of settlement patterns, site structure, cultural chronology, subsistence, social organization, technological changes, and contact period were extracted from these reports. Findings: Ofthe 54 site investigations, only 23 reports provided sufficient archaeological data to contribute to this study. The archaeological information gathered from the 23 excavation reports was synthesized. However, deficiencies were found in several reports. IV Conclusions: Analysis of the reported data show research areas that need further work. Recommendations for filling these 'gaps' were made along with recommendations for improving archaeological analysis and CRM report writing. By highlighting these deficiencies I hope to help improve the field of CRM . Chair:. Signature MA Program: Cultural Resources Management Date: Sonoma State University ~D ~2erfJ v Acknowledgements Finishing this work is a major achievement for me. Although I have worked very hard on it there are several people who helped me accomplish this study. To all ofyou, thank you very much. I would like to specially thank Nick Tipon and all the members of the Sacred Sites Committee, Federated Indians ofGraton Rancheria. They have been very encouraging of my work, which I feel is very important. I would also like to thank Tom Origer, Janine Loyd, and Vicki Beard. They have started me on my professional career and have been very patient and informative; especially Tom who has always encouraged me and lent a great amount of guidance and support. Thank you very much Adrian Praetzellis, Margaret Purser, John Wingard, and my cohort for making my graduate career a great learning experience. Finally, I would like to thank my family for always being there for me; especially my husband whose sacrifice and support made this possible. VI Table of Contents Chapter I. Introduction ....................................................................................................... I PURPOSE OF STUDy.................................................................................................... I AN IMPORTANT EXCLUSION .................................................................................... 2 THESIS ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................. 2 Chapter 2. Environmental Setting ....................................................................................... 5 PALEO-ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................................. 5 Climate ......................................................................................................................... 5 Geology ........................................................................................................................ 7 CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS .......................................................... 8 Climate ......................................................................................................................... 8 Geology ........................................................................................................................ 8 Physiography .............................................................................................................. 10 Soils ............................................................................................................................ II Hydrology................................................................................................................... 12 Plants .......................................................................................................................... 12 Animals....................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3. Cultural Setting ................................................................................................ 15 TERRITORY ................................................................................................................. 16 LANGUAGE ................................................................................................................. 16 SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ...................................................................... 16 SUBSISTENCE ............................................................................................................. 17 EUROPEAN CONTACT 1579 ..................................................................................... 17 Chapter 4. Summary of Early Prehistoric Archaeological ................................................ 19 Research in Marin County ................................................................................................. 19 EARLY RESEARCH .................................................................................................... 20 Surveys ....................................................................................................................... 20 THE 1960S AND EARLY 1970S ................................................................................. 23 Chapter 5. Recent Archaeology in Marin County ............................................................. 26 SURVEY INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 26 EXCAVATIONS ........................................................................................................... 26 THESIS RESEARCH .................................................................................................... 27 SITE DESTRUCTION .................................................................................................. 32 Chapter 6. Chronology and Cultural History .................................................................... 34 PALEO INDIAN PERIOD (9,500-6,000 BC) ................................................................ 35 LOWER ARCHAIC PERIOD (6,000-3,500 BC) .......................................................... 36 MIDDLE ARCHAIC PERIOD (3,500-500 BC) ........................................................... 37 UPPER ARCHAIC PERIOD (500 BC- AD 1,000)....................................................... 37 LOWER EMERGENT PERIOD (AD 1,000-1500) ....................................................... 37 UPPER EMERGENT PERIOD (AD 1500-1850) ......................................................... 38 Chapter 7. Description of Sites Examined in this Study ................................................... 39 CA-MRN-5 .................................................................................................................... 39 CA-MRN-14 .................................................................................................................. 46 vii CA-MRN-17 .................................................................................................................. 52 CA-MRN-20 .................................................................................................................. 55 CA-MRN-27 .................................................................................................................. 58 CA-MRN-44 .................................................................................................................. 61 CA-MRN-127 ...............................................................................................................