Re-evaluating the Marginality of California's Islands: Implications for Archaeological Interpretation

Compared to the mainland, the islands off the Pacific coast of Alta and Baja California have long been considered marginal habitat for ancient hunter-gatherers. Marine and terrestrial island ecosystems were changed considerably, however, by severe overgrazing and overfishing during historic times, and are only beginning to recover under modern management practices (removal of grazing animals, etc.). The perception of marginality has greatly influenced our interpretation of a variety of archaeological issues including the antiquity of first settlement; productivity of island floras, freshwater, and mineral resources; human population density; and the nature of regional exchange networks. Recent advances in archaeological and historical ecological research, combined with field observations of recovering ecosystems suggest the islands may not have been the marginal habitats they once appeared to be. While older models developed through the perspective of island marginality may hold true, it is important to reconsider our interpretations of past and present archaeological data, and re-evaluate long-held assumptions, given these new insights. Ultimately, a reexamination of the effects of perceived marginality on the history of archaeological interpretations on California's islands may have broad implications for other island archipelagos worldwide.