Toward a New Taxonornic Framework for Central California Archaeology Essays by James A Bennyhof *An VAVAVAVAVAVAVAYAVAVAV DIIAsvde mblFredrickoby Richard Hughes SOLANO DIABLO STOCKTON COSUMNES SUTTER NUMBER 52 CONTRIBUrIoNs OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH FACIUTY, BERKELEY Cover illustrations by Nelson B. Thompson. ISBN 1-882744-03-9 I Toward a New Taxonomic Framework for Central California Archaeology Essays by James A. Bennyhoff and David A. Fredrickson Assembled and Edited by Richard E. Hughes May 1994 Number 52 Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility Berkeley Library of Congress Catolog Card Number 94-60664 ISBN 1-882744-03-9 ? 1994 by the Regents of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility University of California at Berkeley Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Contents List of Figures ................................................v List of Tables ............................................... viu Editor's Preface ............. ix Editor's Introduction .............1 A Delta Intrusion to the Bay in the Late Middle Period in Central Califomia James A. Bennyhoff ............7 2 A Proposed Integrative Taxononmc System for Central Califomia Archaeology James A. Bennyhoff and David A. Fredrickson ............................ 15 3 Spatial and Cultural Units in Central Califomia Archaeology David A. Fredrickson ............ 25 4 The Napa District and Wappo Prehistory James A. Bennyhoff .......... 49 5 Changes in Prehistoric Exchange Systems in the Alamo Locality, Contra Costa County, Califomia David A. Fredrickson ............ 57 6 Central California Augustine: Implications for Northem Califomia Archaeology James A. Bennyhoff .........65 7 Central Califomia Archaeology: The Concepts of Pattem and Aspect David A. Fredrickson ............ 75 8 Variation within the Meganos Culture James A. Bennyhoff ........... 81 9 Archaeological Taxonomy in Central California Reconsidered David A. Fredrickson ............ 93 1 Q Recent Thoughts on Archaeological Taxonomy James A. Bennyhoff .105 References ......109 List of Figures 1.1 Ceremonial obsidian point from Burial 3, CCo-311. .... ......................1 1 1.2 Ceremlonial white chert points fiom Burial 3, CCo-311 .. ................................ 12 1.3 Ceremonial white chert points fiom Burial 1, CCo-311 .................................. 13 4.1 Napa District cultural sequence . ............................. 4.2 Significant artifact types of the Napa District. ............................. _ _54 6.1 Late period, Augustine Pattern, Hoilister aspect, Cosumnes District: Significant artifact types and temporal changes in beads and ornaments from Calhoun phase (Middle/Late Period Transition) through historic ................................._ .._ .6. 6.2 Late period, Augustine Pattern, Hollister aspect, Cosumnes District: Significant artifact types and temporal changes in stone and bone artifacts from Calhoun phase (Middle/Late Period Transition) through Mosher phas (Phas 2) .70 6.3 Selected artifact types and incising styles diagnostic of the Solano, Diablo, Stockton, Cosumnes, and Sutter districts duing the Late period .72 6.4 Relationship of Delta and Bay region archaeological sites within the framework of the Central California Taxonomic System ....... ... ........ 74 8.1 Pre-Meganos patterns and aspects in the Bay and Delta regions during the Early period, 3,000 - 500 B.C .. .. . . .... ... .. ...82 8.2 The emergence of Meganos during the Early/Middle Period Transition and early phase of the Middle period, 500 B.C - A.D. 100 . ... ................................ 84 8.3 Meganos expansion during the Middle period (Late and Terminal phases), 8.4 The Meganos retreat to the Delta during the Middle/Late Period Transition, A.D. 700- 900 ................................................. ........86 8.5 The end of Meganos during the Late period (Early Phase 1), A.D. 900 - 1100 ................................................. 87 9.1 Hypothesized characteristics of cultural periods in Califomia ................................................. 100 List of Tables 1.1 Archaeological Sites in Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, and San Joaquin Counties with Components Attributable to the Meganos Aspect .............................................. 9 3.1 Som e Archaeological Spatial Units in California .............................................. ... 34 3.2 Archaeokgical Periods in Central Califomia . .............................................. 41 5.1 -Radiocarbon Dates for Several Archaeological Sites in Interior Contra Costa County, Ca ..fo.n...6 Editor's Preface I BEGAN ASSEMBLING THE essays that appear in this volume in early 1991. Over the past three years, several individuals provided information and assistance that helped shape the final versions. Elaine Sundahl generously sent me a copy of an uneditedtranscriptofanoralpresentationbyBennyhoff from which chapter6 was revised and edited. Michael Moratto granted permission to reproduce the Napa Districtphase chart (which appeared as figure 10.13 in Moratto [1984]), and provided the original artwork for reproduction here. This figure (4.2 herein) appears bypermissionofAcademicPress, Inc.,Orlando. Scotty Thompson is responsible for the outstanding illustra- tions of phase charts and maps that appear in chapters 1, 4, and 6. The artifact photographs (figures 1. 1 1.2, and 1.3) were taken by Gene Prince; they appear courtesy of the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthro- pology. Tanya Smith, editor for the "Contributions" series, provided much appreciated editorial assistance throughout the lengthy production phase, in addition to skillfully rendering figures 4.1 and 6.4. Review comments and suggestions by Randy Milliken and Kent Lightfoot helped me to better organize the vol- ume, and prompted me to provide additional back- ground on the Central Califomia Taxonomic System (see Editor's Introduction). I extend special thanks to Randy Milliken for help with a myriad of details; I especially appreciate his review of the phase chart illustrations and artifact descriptions in figures 6.1 and 6.2 which Bennyhoff was unable to complete. All Califomia archaeologists know by now that James Bennyhoff died in August 1993. He was actively working on chapters in this volume right up to the time of his death, though he was unable to complete chapter 10. Jim would no doubt have objected to my including this chapter in its unfinished state, but I feel that all archaeologists interested in these taxonomic issues will benefit from having his opinions on record. I know he had so much more to say; I only wish he could have been here in person to see the finished product and to actively debate the issues with others. Richard E. Hughes Rancho Cordova, Califomia February 14, 1994