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A cultural resources survey of a 191.74-acre parcel in the Cummings Valley area of Kern County, California, resulted in the recording of site P-15-009701. This prehistoric archaeological site was found to be composed of at least 10 separate bedrock milling stations that contain at least 33 distinctive milling surfaces. In addition to the bedrock milling stations, several stone flakes, a biface preform, and a fragment of burned mammal bone were also noted in the site area. During the investigation, various boulders were defined as milling stations and each identifiable milling surface was measured and categorized by type. All together, these types included 26 conical shaped mortars, 3 saucer shaped mortars, 2 milling slicks, 1 oval mortar, and 1 basin milling feature. Many of the mortars were considered deep (15+ centimeters) and well-developed. All of the bedrock milling stations were photographed during the investigation with at least one photograph of each station appearing within the submitted site record form. Based on the information obtained during the investigation, archaeological site P-15-009701 is believed to represent the material remains of a Kawaiisu village or habitation area. Although only a few artifacts were noted during the survey, use of the area by the prehistoric inhabitants is clearly demonstrated by the number bedrock milling stations in the site area. The paucity of artifactual finds within the site area is probably due to dense vegetative growth which obscured the view of the vast majority of ground surface, depositional forces in the area which may have buried or covered much of the site, and on-going relic collecting activities. Nevertheless, the bedrock milling stations exhibit many deep and well-developed mortars and other grinding surfaces. The nature of the milling stations suggests that the site was occupied over a long period of time. At this point it is unknown if this occupation was year round or seasonal in nature. However, the abundance of fresh water in this particular area of the Cummings Valley would have made this area attractive to prehistoric people for year round occupation. |
