Prepare National Register Nomination for Santa Rosa Island Archeological District
Project ID: P17AC01563
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Oregon
Fiscal Year: 2017
Initial Funding: $37,899
Total Funding: $37,899
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Cultural
National Park: Channel Islands NP
Agreement Technical Representative: Kirn, Laura
Abstract: A. Background
Santa Rosa Island is one of five islands within Channel Islands National Park (CHIS). Santa Rosa contains more than 1,000 documented archeological resources that collectively represent more than 13,000 years of human history. The resources are acknowledged to be nationally and internationally significant, and likely represent part of the story of the peopling of the new world. In spite of this recognized significance, none of the resources have been evaluated for eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, either as individual sites or collectively as one or more districts.
Despite this, a sizeable body of data exists to support this project. Many scholarly and scientific researchers have invested significant time and energy into understanding the prehistory and history of Santa Rosa. All of this information is available in the form of journal articles, books, other literature, and records on file at the park and in academic institutions. These data will be used to inform and support the preparation of national register documentation for Santa Rosa Island.
National register documentation is considered important baseline information for all cultural resources in NPS. A national register nomination is intended to provide a succinct statement that articulates the historic, cultural, and scientific significance of the subject resource or resources, describe its physical characteristics (including condition) and location, and present a thorough bibliography of sources of information. When completed, a national register nomination is the key reference document about a given resource.
The NPS will collaborate with key professionals at UO to prepare a national register nomination regarding the archeological resources of Santa Rosa Island. Work will include assembling and synthesizing the available scientific, cultural, and historical information about the island’s archeological resources. Consultation and collaboration with the federally-recognized Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians and the federally non-recognized Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Chumash Mission Indians will provide insights into the cultural and historical significance of the island from a tribal perspective. Together, the project team will create a completed nomination for submittal to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places.
B. Objectives
Investigators from UO and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following specific objectives.
• Assemble a complete bibliography of archeological research undertaken on Santa Rosa Island
• Consult with the Santa Ynez Band and the Barbareno/Venturano Band to determine their interest in collaborating with the project team, and their views on the cultural and historical significance of the archeological resources
• Synthesize available information about the archeological resources
• Prepare maps and lists of documented archeological sites and their important characteristics
• Prepare draft and final nomination documents for review by the tribal groups, California State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and NPS regional and national staff
• Summarize non-confidential information for public dissemination on the park’s website
C. Public Purpose
The information obtained in this project will identify and document the qualities of the archeological resources on Santa Rosa Island at CHIS that make them worth preserving. The information and products developed by this project will be shared in several ways to increase public awareness, knowledge, and support for preservation of the park’s cultural, historical, and archeological resources. The nomination will be shared with park visitors and the general public through interpretive media such as the park’s website, social media, and other venues. An electronic version of the nomination will be uploaded to the park’s website and become part of the larger National Register database. This project will also provide opportunities for UO students to work with the national register process, understand criteria for eligibility, and how these apply to archeological resources. The UO students will gain broad understanding of the scientific and tribal cultural importance of the Santa Rosa Island archeological resources.