PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY FOR CALIFORNIA ARCHAEOLOGY
1988-2004
“In the Footsteps of the Raven”
Hugh Bunten, Jr.
Abstract
After 25 years of government archaeology, this is a look back at one of the pioneers. Christopher Corson blazed a trail that is still the definitive work for the Surprise Resource Area and the Great Basin. He was able to accomplish more inventory with less budget than we have twenty years later. Chris set the standard for reports and correspondence with the fledgling State Offices of Historic Preservation. Chris wrote much of the book that we use today, and did the random stratified surveys that are still the basis for site density and significance determinations. He was able to get the reluctant bureaucracy to fund the all-important baseline data gathering effort. A most important part of the legacy that Christopher left at the Surprise Resource Area is a preserve solely for the archaeological resource contained on 1600 acres. Even after twenty years, that is a remarkable achievement for an area dominated by the livestock industry. His eloquence charmed the most antagonistic, and even today he is revered and remembered by them.