Archaeological Survey, Site Assessments, and Cultural Resource Management on San Miguel Island, California
Project ID: J8W07080011
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Oregon
Fiscal Year: 2008
Initial Funding: $54,901
Total Funding: $54,901
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Cultural
National Park: Channel Islands NP
Principal Investigator: Erlandson, Jon
Agreement Technical Representative: Minas, Kelly
Abstract: This project is for a three-year program of archaeological reconnaissance, site condition assessments, and cultural resource management activities on San Miguel Island, California. Owned by the U.S. Navy and administered by the National Park Service as part of Channel Islands National Park. San Miguel has at least a 12,500-year history of human occupation by maritime Paleoindians, the Island Chumash and their ancestors, 19th century Euro-American ranchers and Chinese abalone fishermen, 20th century military personnel, and others. There are currently 685 archaeological sites recorded on the island, but erosion associated with
historic overgrazing and rising sea levels continues to expose sites that have yet to be recorded. Working cooperatively and continuously with Channel Islands National Park staff for almost 20 years, University of Oregon archaeologists have extensive knowledge and experience in the archaeology, history, and historical ecology of San Miguel Island. This Task Agreement will continue this long-term program of systematic archaeological survey and site recording, mapping and condition assessments of previously recorded sites, radiocarbon dating of eroding site deposits, and small-scale salvage excavations at sites threatened with destruction. The Principal Investigator, Dr. Jon Erlandson, has worked on San Miguel and the other Northern Channel Islands for more than 25 years. Summary reports will be provided to Channel Islands National Park at the end of years 1 and 2; a comprehensive final report will be produced at the end of the third year.
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