PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY FOR CALIFORNIA ARCHAEOLOGY
1988-2004
“?itdi’yu (Ovens) in the Wa’šiw Sierra”
William Bloomer, John Betts, and Susan Lindström
Abstract
Recent excavations in Squaw Valley uncovered large and small ovens used by Wa’šiw (Washoe) ancestors. Prehistoric ovens -- rare finds in the northern Sierra -- are important because they serve as a tangible focus for Wa’šiw remembrance, as well as for archaeological investigations. Wa’šiw elders who visited the Squaw Valley excavation talked about how the ovens were used -- offering insight, perspective and a real connection with Squaw Valley prehistory. In addition, this case illustrates the difficulty of recognizing rock ovens amidst glacial till, and shows that large area exposures increase the potential for discovery.