Between the Coast and the Desert: Archaeological Data Recovery at the Yukaipa’t Site, CA-SBR-1000, Yucaipa, California

Donn Grenda

Between the Coast and the Desert: Archaeological Data Recovery at the Yukaipa’t Site, CA-SBR-1000, Yucaipa, California

Year: 1998

Summary

This report presents the results of data recovery at the archaeological site of Yukaipa’t (CA-SBR-1000 ). The site is located at an elevation ranging from approximately 2,150 feet (655.3 m) to 2,170 feet (661.4 m) above mean sea level (AMSL) on the crest of a small north-south ridge above Chicken Springs Wash in San Bernardino County, California. The work was conducted by Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI), in response to a proposed realignment of Avenue E.

SRI’s investigations began in April 1994, with the preparation of a data recovery plan, and fieldwork began in June 1994. No features were discovered during our investigation. In addition to the artifacts discovered during the project, the collection housed at the University of Redlands was inventoried and analyzed.

Data recovery analyses focused on 5,966 lithic artifacts, 72 ground-stone artifacts, 7 shell artifacts, 93 ceramic artifacts, and 26,817 bone fragments. Based on analysis of these artifacts and ecofacts and their distribution, the site is interpreted as a seasonal habitation site. Although probably used for hundreds or even thousands of years, the main occupation was likely during late prehistoric–protohistoric times. The function of the site does not appear to have changed through time. Hunter-gatherers probably used the site during winter and spring to procure and process game, moving to upland areas during summer and fall. On the crest of a small ridge, the site is sufficiently elevated to command a view of the surrounding area, yet close enough to Chicken Springs Wash and Wilson Creek to have immediate, direct access to fresh water, game, and raw materials. Lithic analyses indicate that many raw materials were procured as part of an embedded procurement strategy during the game-monitoring routine. However, many exotic goods were also present at Yukaipa’t.

There is evidence that the residents of the site had good access to an east-west trade route that moved goods from as far as 500 km toward the coast. Such exotic goods as jasper, obsidian, ceramics, and shell were present at Yukaipa’t, indicating contact with surrounding groups. The use of high-quality lithics is speculated to be more of an indicator of cultural affiliation than of a need for high-quality lithics.

Based on the density of lithic debris, most of the food processing and lithic working took place in the south-central portion of the site. Most of the domestic activities took place on the higher ground.

Cite this Record

Between the Coast and the Desert: Archaeological Data Recovery at the Yukaipa’t Site, CA-SBR-1000, Yucaipa, California. Donn Grenda. Technical Series ,70. Tucson, AZ: SRI Press. 1998 ( tDAR id: 425937) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8425937