VAFB-1985-23: Archaeological and Geomorphological Investigations of SBA-1010 and Nearby Areas, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California

Summary

A Phase I archaeological investigation was conducted at CA-SBA-1010 and its immediate environs. SBA-1010 (Barka Slough) is a deeply stratified archaeological site buried in the south bank of San Antonio Creek, a major watercourse in VAFB. The project was primarily designed to determine whether cultural resources would be adversely affected if Santa Barbara County rip-rapped San Antonio Creek to prevent future erosion of Highway S-20. The project focused upon defining the boundaries of SBA-1010 and determining whether other sites are located along the creek channel. Methods used included the visual examination of vertical creekbank exposures and the excavation of 12 auger bores in areas thought to contain buried deposits associated with SBA-1010.

The investigation successfully delimited the linear extent of SBA-1010 within the project area and located a previously undiscovered site eroding out of the northern creekbank. This site, provisionally designated as URS-1, yielded a biface, several chert flakes, and few fragments of marine shell. SBA-1010 was found to extend into an area that would be directly disturbed by rip-rap construction. To avoid extensive impacts, the county has dropped from further consideration all construction options that would directly affect intact portions of SBA-1010 and URS-1.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) - Cultural Resource Report

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Corinne Holloway

Record Identifiers

VAFB Document Number(s): VAFB-1985-23

File Information