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Pacific Archaeological Sciences Team (PAST) conducted a Phase III data recovery program on a portion of prehistoric site P-40-000801 located in the community of Shell Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California. Plans for the subject property called the development of a 2,829 square foot living area two-story single-family residence with a semi-subterranean garage (1,223 square foot) on the vacant lot. Following the data recovery work on the subject property, PAST also conducted an archaeological monitoring program during the grading phases of work on the subject property. Our report on the project presents the results of both the data recovery and monitoring programs. The investigations documented in PAST’s report were deemed necessary because the subject property is located within the boundaries of a large Chumash village site referred to as P-40-000801, and development of the property would have a direct negative impact upon the archaeological resource. The investigations conducted by PAST followed a Phase I survey study performed by Heritage Discoveries, Inc. (Conway 1999) and a Phase II subsurface testing program conducted by Parker & Associates (1999). In summary, the Phase III data recovery program conducted by PAST consisted of the excavation of a single large test unit, measuring 1 by 2 meters in size, located in an area of the subject property that would experience the deepest grading cuts during the development of the parcel. The fieldwork portion of the data recovery program took place over a three day period between July 21 and 23, 2001, and was conducted by Barbie S. Getchell and John E. Atwood of PAST, and Mark Vigil Sr. of M. Vigil Chumash Cultural Resources. Archaeological monitoring of the grading activities associated with the development of the lot took 9 days to complete and was conducted by John E. Atwood of PAST and Lei Lynn Odom, Peggi Odom, and Matthew Goldman of the Northern Chumash Council (NCC), Oceano. During the monitoring program, two areas on the subject property were found to contain human remains. As per State law, upon the discoveries, all work in the area was immediately halted and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff-Coroner office was contacted by the archaeologist. The events and procedures surrounding these discoveries have been chronicled in the report. At the request of the “most likely descendant” and the NCC, no scientific study was performed on the remains and they were reburied on the subject property under the residential development. The results of the data recovery program revealed an intact cultural resource deposit ranging in depth from 70-centimeters to about 170-centimeter below the current surface. An analysis of beads recovered from the deposit and the results from radiocarbon dating of two single shell samples indicates that this portion of the site was used from about AD 1460 to about AD 1772. The findings showed that two primary activities were conducted by the Chumash people at this location; namely the burial of humans and the depositing of kitchen refuse that resulted in the development of a shell midden. Overall, the archaeological resources embodied within site P-40-000801 are considered an “important” or “unique” cultural resources to the State of California. Research has shown that the site contains information that is important to our understanding of prehistory. The site also has special meaning to the Chumash people as it contains a physical record of their culture and heritage as well as the remains of ancestors. Therefore, PAST recommends that should any additional grading and excavation work be needed on the subject property, a data recovery program should be conducted to evaluate other areas of the deposit. The data recovery program should be followed by a monitoring program during the excavation phase of the work. Any further cultural resource work on the property should be conducted in coordination with a local Chumash cultural resources consultant. Additionally, if any important archaeological resource should be exposed on the property as a result of rain wash, landscaping or other means, PAST recommends that the property owners notify the Planning Department of the City of Pismo Beach, and have an archaeologist and Chumash consultant inspect the find to determine the appropriate data recovery or protective measures. In the event that human remains are exposed, all work in the area must stop and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff-Coroner office contacted pursuant to Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code. All laws governing the discovery of human remains must be followed. Also, should any additional cultural resources work be conducted on the subject property, the results of this work should be documented in a report that is submitted to the City of Pismo Beach and the regional office of the California Historical Resources Information System. |
