An Archeological Research Design for Yosemite National Park, California

Summary

The National Park Service has developed plans to alter Yosemite

National Park operations and facilities during the 1980's and '90s. Some

of the proposed changes would affect archeological and historic resources. As one element of planning, the present document advances a

comprehensive program for future archeological investigations in the

park. The aim of this study is to provide a research design to ensure

that future work, whether prompted by management and salvage needs or by "pure research" interests, will be professionaLly sound and advance

archeological knowledge. The research program includes a definition of goals and assumptions and an overview of Yosemite's cultural and natural history. A theoretical foundation is provided through exploring the nature of research strategies and designs in anthropology, with emphasis on Yosemite in a regional context. Central to the study is a discussion of archeological research domains in the central Sierra Nevada, followed by a status report of current archeological knowledge of the park. Methods of data recovery and analysis are recommended to mitigate impacts of planned developments, to preserve information that might be lost in the course of normal park operations, and to optimize the long term study and preservation of archeological values in Yosemite.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Yosemite National Park, California   •
• California

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: -6000 to 1800

Spatial Coverage

File Information