Markers of Time: Exploring Transitions in Artifacts and Burial Practices at Bolsa Chica, Orange County, California

Summary

The transition of artifacts recovered from the Bolsa Chica Mesa indicate changes in site use through different temporal periods. Early (9000-7500 BP) Bivalve Tivela beads give way to Olivella spire/end modified, then to Olivella Grooved Rectangle (OGR) beads (5500-4500BP). Transitions in bead type and manufacture can be linked to the changing coastline conditions, availability of resources, and the influx of new populations. Further, the burial practices found at the Bolsa Chica Mesa sites also vary by associated temporal period in addition to burial location. The burial types found on the Mesa illustrate a range of methods spanning from small bone assemblages to complete interments. Previous burial analyses have hypothesized that the Bolsa Chica Mesa was used as a ceremonial burial ground. This study attempts to assess whether the observed shift in burial practices is associated with changes in population demographics, cultural trends, or taphonomic processes by assessing the relationship between shell features; ceremonial artifacts such as cogged stones, charmstones, and beads; and the various burial practices found at Bolsa Chica.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16375