PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY FOR CALIFORNIA ARCHAEOLOGY


“An Overview of Four Late Prehistoric Sites Located in the W estwood Valley, Rancho Bernardo, California”

Carolyn E. Kyle

Abstract


Ten archaeological sites located within the Westwood Valley in San Diego County are remnants of a large prehistoric village. This village, located on the south shore of the San Dieguito River, was occupied from at least 1800 years B.P., until well into the 19th century. Six of the sites, SDi-5937, SDi-5939, SDi-10301, SDi-10302, SDi-10303, and SDi-10304, appear to represent Early Period preceramic occupations. The remainder of the sites, SDi-5935, SDi-5938, SDi-5940, and SDi-8216 (W-219), are Late Prehistoric Period occupations with both habitation and specialized activity areas. Site attributes include the presence of pictographs, rock features (a stone oven, a large rock room complex, rock granary rings, and four large stone walls), and dark midden soil. Results of an intensive faunal analysis indicates winter habitation of this village with the exploitation of rabbits and hares for food and for their pelts from which rabbit skin blankets and robes were manufactured.

 

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