Reports of the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY No. 18 The University of California Archaeological Survey Department of Anthropology University of California Berkeley 4. California ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE SHASTA DAM AREA, CALIFORNIA by Clarence E. Smith and W.D. Weymouth Contents Page Preface . ..*eO..*..... . . .......*. . ...*.**.** *.@.s0000000000 1 Introduction 2 .............. . 2 Character of the Shasta Dam Archaeological Sites ..................5 Sites Excavated in the McCloud Canyon *............................ 6 Site 22 ..** ,* * . ........................... 6 Site 21 .... * * ,, *........ 7 Site 20 @ 7 Chipped Stone Artifacts 9 Projectile Points @0@..@... .. * .. .*I..s. It.... . ** * * @0 *.. *0 * * *a 9 Regional Distribution of Projectile Point Types 3.............. .3 Chipped Blades ................. .@ 114 Scrapers *****..**.. *0.****. ... * 0000000 *.0000000000 ..., 114 Drill Points *..................@.......Oa ..O eeoo eeooo * 1 , 14 Ground Stone Artifacts ,..,.......... 14 Abrading Tools ............... 14* li Shaft Smnoothers 0 a * a 00 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 09 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 00 0 0 0 .. . . . .a . . . 14 Whetstones or Files. . ....... ....... 15 Hone . ... a *, 0 9006 a0 0O000000aO0000 15 Pestles . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a...000 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . a15 Hoppered Mortar Stones *.............**. ,,. 16 Palettes . OO O.* . * a* , 000000*60q940 16 Miscellaneous Flat Slate Objects ............................. 17 Pipes 0 * 0 00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . e . . . . . . . . O O . . . . 17 Rectangular Hammerstones ....* ..... . * .. *****. 18 Cobble Hammerstones ......................eo....... .. 18 Miscellaneous Ground Stone Artifacts ......................... 18 Bone Artifacts *.........I................. * la.........'...........e** 19 Cordage ....., ,.,20 Aboriginal Beads and Ornaments .... ........................ 20 Marine Shell Beads .............@... ,0 0 . 20 Seed Beads * * * * * * * * * * **** ** 22 Burials . .......0..00000....0..... , , o*0 22 Orientation and Position ......... ..... s........... 23 Grave Pits . a..a....................*...*o..o.. ...o.eo0eooo*O o 23 Associated Grave Artifacts 24............... ....... 24 Points @00000000 .0* *** 000000000 *..... 28 Aboriginal Beads ** **.* 28 Glass Trade Beads **0* ** @0 0 00 0 0000 @0 00 0 0 00.0 000000 *** 28 Nonaboriginal Artifacts , .... 29 Page Conclusions ................................................. . Notes 0000000000 ...0...............& ..... 0... ....*..............0 *.. Appendix: Excavations at Redding Mound No. 1 (Sha-47) in 1935 Artifacts of Stone o..00000000000000000...0000000000. 000 Artifacts of Bone and Antler ................................. Artifacts of Shell *...........,..0 *. 0.0.*....*e*. *0 Conclusions on Site Sha-47 . . .....o,... Notes to Appendix * *.* ** *. **00** ** **000. **0.0 * Bibliography , . ............................ . . . Explanation of Plates and Figures *e***................ * 29 32 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 46 Tables Table 1I Table 2. Table 30 Table 4. Site Reconnaissance Data ........000.0.0.00.. 0.. 00.00 Projectile Points .0.........0..........................0 Vertical Distribution of Points from Site 20 ,...0.000..0 Burials, Site 20 .. ...000 3 12 12 25 Illustrations Following page Map 1. Map 2. Map 3, Plate 1. Figure 1. Figure 2. Archaeological Sites in the Shasta Dan Area ......... Qontour Maps of Sha-21 and 22 0..,...,.......*....... Oontour Map of Sha-20 *go* I Sites and Excavations in the Shasta Dam Area ........ Artifacts from Shasta Dam Area Sites ................ Typology of Projectile Points, Shasta Dam Area .... 2 5 6 At end At end At end 1. Preface At the time the basin of present Shasta Lake was being cleared of vegeta- tion prior to its filling by the waters of the Little Sacramento, McCloud and Pit rivers, and their effluents, the University's Department of Anthropology recognized the need of a reconnaissance of the area and of salvage excavation to whatever extent was practical. Initial survey was undertaken by W.D. Weymouth and R.K. Beardsley, and a number of sites were mepped in 1941. By the following sunmr, wben excavation was contemplated, funds for such work were low and workers themselves were widely scattered in the armed forces, the shipyards, and elsewhere. It was found possible to finance and field only a two-man crew. Because of the nature of the area, and the exigencies of short funds, no government vehicle was left on the job; all roving from site to site ad the occasionally necessary replenishing of supplies had to be aco plished on foot. This restriction naturally limited movement and choice of sites for excavation; the small size of the party limited the actual amunt of digging that could be done. The authors wish to express their sincere appreciation of the assistance and guidance of various members of the staff of the Department of Anthropology, University of California, especially Professors A.L. Kroeber, E.W. Gifford, and R.F. Heizer. Special appreciation is accorded Mr. Francis Riddell for constructive criticism; to the staff of the Anthropology Museum and to the University of California Archaeological Survey for incidental assistance. We are indebted to Mr. John Goins for his kindness in drawing up final copy of the maps and Fig. 1. 2- Introduction Shasta Dam, on the Sacramento River approximately 9 miles north of Redding, California, impounds a reservoir which, when full, extends up the Sacramento River almost 20 miles above the mouth of the Pit River, and up the lower course of the McCloud River to a point 14 miles above its junction with the Pit. In a like manner the canyons of the lower courses of the Pit and its principal affluent, Squaw Creek, are flooded by Shasta Lake. (Map 1). This reservoir, formed within the drainage pattern of three large rivers, and their tributary streams, lies in the northeastern tart of the Wintu area,l entirely within the subareas designated by Du Bois2 as the Upper Sacramento and IWCloud. Almost the entire habitable terrain once occupied by these two subgroups of the Wintu tribe has been inundated. This part of Wintu territory has a Mesothermal climate, characterized by a Yellow Pine-Douglas fir forest landscape.3 Along the lower McCloud daily temperature range, particularly in the late sumer and autumn months, is markedly wide, and fluctuates rapidly.4 Zoologically, the area has both Sonoran and Transition life zones.5 However,, the lower McCloud country, with which this paper is primarily concerned, presents some variations from the norm for the region as a whole for it lies entirely within the Transition Life Zone, p rtly because of the unusually cold temperature of the water of the McCloud. During September, when the water should be warmest, the tem- peratIre near the river's mouth ranges from 48 degrees to 54 degrees Fahren- heit. The river's fall is rapid, the rate, even along its lower course, being from 20 ft. to 35 ft. per mile. The geology of the area, one of renewed early topographic maturity, indicates two major a three or more minor cycles of stream rejuvenation resulting from uplift. The area, for the most part, is thoroughly dis- sected by a network of valleys, forming an essentially rugged topography. Potential permanent aboriginal habitation sites were limited almost com- pletely to occasional meadows along the terraces above the strea and to enclaves of level ground along the river courses. In respect to number of sites suited to aboriginal villages it would appear that the McCloud was especially favored, since terraces are more commno and extensive along that river. The excavations of three sites in the McCloud carwon in 1942 was followed by a thorough reconnaissance of that area; thirteen sites were added to those located the previous year.. Thus a total of thirty-seven sites were mapped in the Shasta Lake basin, thirty-one of them on the banks of the McCloud. These figures appear to support the contention of Du Bois that the McCloud canyon was particularly favorable for aboriginal habitation,9 although the picture is un- doubtedly somewhat distorted by the more intensive nature of the survey along that river. The table on the following pages presents in brief outline the data for thirty-four sites. The three excavated are not included; detailed descrip- tion of these follows in the subsequent discussion. 't w - k * H - s4 en 0 bE q II aJz Ot C1) K1 LU VO (5 0 A- w 0 ~Lij '4 cc Table 1 Site Reconnaissance Data Site No . Location T R Sec 1/4Sec Area (in ft.) Surface Artifacts Structures I 35N 3W 30 SE 2 35N 3W 30 NE 66 x 100 d.- indet 80 x 100 d. indet. 300 x 300 d. indet. 4 housepits 3 housepits Hoppered mortar stone, hammer- stone, porcelain 3 35N 3W 30 NE 3 pestle frags ., 3 obsidian points, h~mrstone., metal and glass objects 4 34N 4W 1 NE 5 35N 4W 36 SE 6 35N 5W 36 NE 200 x 200 d. 3 ft 200 x 400 d. indet.- 200 x 500 d. indet. 5 pestles, 2 ob- sidian points, 3 hmnrstones, clam disc bead Hmr stone Obsidian point, metal and glass objects . trade beads Large house pit . 12 housepits Dancehouse pit 7 34N 4W 12 8 34N 4W 14 NW SW 9 34N 4W 14 SW 10 34N 4W 22 SE 200 x 500 d. indet. deep 150 x 300 125 x 175 d. 3 ft. 150 x 150 d. indet deep 100 x 160 d indet . Trade beads Obs idian point, mus sel shell and bone, 3 china frags, 11 34N! 4W 23 SW Hmmearstone, china frags. 4 housepits 12 34N 4W 23 NW 3,3 34N 4W 27 NE 14 34N 4W 22 15 34N 4W 14 NE SW 300 x 300 d. indet. shallow 150 x 150 d. indet. 90 x 180 d. indet. 300 x 300 do indet. 150 x 350 d. 5 ft . 80 x 120 d. 4 ft. 75 x 160 d.a ixrlet Trade beads., glass and metal obqjects Hamrstone, 2 obsidian point frags. . clam disc bead, por- celain button, mussel shell Chert blade frag. Obsidian point Obsidian poin-4 obs idian scraper 8 housepits., earth lodge pit, rectan- .gular dance- house pit 4 housepits 16 34N 4W 14 SW 17 34N 4W 14 NW 18 34N 4W 14 NW 19 34N 4W 11 SW Trade bead 12 housepilts 4 bousepits Pestle, obsidi - an ;point Table 1 (Continued) 4. Site No . Location T R Sec 1/4Sec Area (in ft.) Surface Artifacts Structures 23 34N 4W 1 NE 24 35N 3W 31 25 35N 3W 30 NW NE 150 x 4550 d. indet. 200 x 200 d. indet. 50 x 300 d. indet. shallow Hanmerstone, 8 obsidian points, numerous non- Indian arti- facts Pestle, 2 ham- merstones, 3 obsidian points, 2 obsidian blade frags ., Haliotis frag. 4 harmerstones, 3 obsidian points, numer- ous non-Indian artifacts Dancehouse pit, earth lodge pit 6 housepits 10 housepits 26 3 5N 3W 20 NE 27 35N 3W 8 SE 28 3ThN 41 11 NE 29 34N 4w 11 NE 80 x 200 d. indet. Small shallow Small trace 80 x 200 d. indet. 1o0 x 180 no deposit 290 x 320 d. indet. 30 35N 4w 36 SE 3 housepits 31 35N 3w 30 (center) 32 33N 5W 10-11 9 obsidian points, 2 pestles, sand- stone shaft smoother frag. 33 33N 5W 10 34 33N 5W 10 SE NW 35 33N 5W 4 SW 36 34N 3W 31 NE 180 x 300 d. indet. shallow 200 x 250 d. 5 ft. 105 x 210 2 1/2 to 4 ft. 85 x 4oo 5 to 8 ft. 70 x 120 d. 5 ft. 240 x 450 d. indet. Glass bottle, human skeletal frags. 5 obsidian points , 5 point frags., 8 pestle frags., 2 hamerstones, bone awl Obsidian point, pestle, ham- merstone 4 housepits Darncehousse pit Dancehouse pit 37 34N 3W 29 SE 5. Character of Shasta Lake Archaeological Sites The essentially rugged character of the region limits habitable areas to the occasional flat places along the river courses or away from the river near a spring or stream. Infrequently sites are noted or ridge points, but most of them are found on lower or middle terraces or, in the upper reaches of the rivers, directly on the flood plain. A spot with a southerly ex- posure, abutting on some rise of ground to the north, was especially favored, although sites with eastern, western, or immediately open exposure occurred on all three rivers surveyed. No site with a strictly northern exposure was noted. On the basis of differences in deposition and kind of mound mass to- gether with distances from larger waterways., three types of sites are dis- tinguished: (1) River sites have a mound mass consisting of sand or very sandy loam with a large percentage of organic matter and a moderate percentage of transported rock. Water worn cobbles, from 1/2 lb. to 15 or 20 lbs. in weight, occur in sufficient number to make excavation tedious. This type of mound mass has a limited distribution -- the sites are always on the river (i.e., on the flood plain) or abutting against and sometimes lying on the first terrace. They occur most often near the confluence of a small tributary or intermittent stream with the river. These sites are invariably deeper than the other two types, attaining a depth of 7 to 8 ft., which seems to be the maximum for the area surveyed. Only a few sites even approach this depth. A deposition of about 3 to 4 1/2 ft. would approximate the average for River sites over the whole area. (2) Terrace sites have a deposit mass composed of the native soil upon which they are situated, plus ash, charcoal, and other organic matter. Water-worn cobbles and small boulders carried from the stream beds occur in considerable number, as do inclusions of angular rock.10 These sites are found on the second terrace level or at a comparable distance above the rivers. The matrix of these sites reaches a maximum depth of about 2.5 ft. (3) Hill sites have a matrix similar to that of Terrace sites, but water-worn cobbles are rare and refuse deposit seldom exceeds 12 in. These sites are farthest from the river, and lie on flattened hilltops or the remnants of ancient terraces, usually as near as possible to springs or small waterways. In linear dimensions, sites (of all three types) range in area from 600 by 900 ft., the largest noted, to the smaest, which measured about 6o ft. in diameter. River and Terrace sites are invariably greater in depth and often larger in area. The implication might be that Hill sites are temporary locations, perhaps hunting camps or summer dwellings,11 al- though all of them yield considerable evidence of prolonged historic oc- cupation. Many of the sites surveyed still retain evidence of aboriginal struc- tures in the form of shallow depressions ranging from 5 ft. to as much as 50 ft. in diameter. In depth the pits varied from a barely discernible depression to 6 or 7 ft. 'j, Y4 75 VIP ls? L00051Y 6, Du Bois has differentiated three major types of house or lodge con- structed in this area, as follows:12 (l) Dwellings: These were conical in shape and bark covered, with no center pole. Floors were excavated to a depth of 1 to 3 ft., and earth was banked up around the outside of the structure Corridor entrances oc- curred in the McCloud azea but were rare. (2) Earth lodges: Circular in ground plan, 15 to 20 ft. in diameter, excavated to approximately shoulder depth. These occurred in the larger permanent villages and were generally placed from 100 to 300 yds. from a creek or river. 3 (3) Semisubterranean dancehouses: These replaced the earth lodges after 1870. They were 30 to 50 ft. in diameter, 4 to 7 ft. deep, and usually had a downward sloping cprridor entrance 10 to 20 ft. long, which was oriented south or southeast1o (P1. lb). Sites Excavated in the McCloud Canyon Site 22 14a Site 22 approximately 3 air-line miles north-northeast of Baird in the NW 1/4 of section 12, township 34 N, range 4 W, was a River site situated on the nearly level top of the most recent (18 ft.) terrace, with the McCloud River immediately to the east. The river at its highest levels must have washed very close to the base of the site. Indeed, during the great flood of February, 1881, when, at the Baird Fishery, the river rose to a height of more than 26 ft. above its summer level, the water undoubtedly swept over the top of this site.15 In area the site was larger than average, measuring 330 ft. from northwest to southeast. Five house pits could still be discerned on the south and southwestern portions of the site, each measuring approximately 12 ft. in diameter from crest to crest. Along the northwest side, opposite the river, the site tapered off gradually in depth to an undefined edge. Beyond this edge was a shallow depression, 45 to 50 ft. in width, then a very sharp escarpment rose 40 ft. to the second terrace upon which Site 21 was located. Somewhat to the south of the center of Site 22 was the Curl Cemetery frog which the Federal Government had removed 21 burials for reintermentl The cemetery occupied 1,675 square yards, and had in and around it a profuse growth of Ailanthus altissima, locally called Chinese locust or Chinese Heaven Trees (seeiPl. le). Excavation. Trench 1 was laid out on the south edge of the site running northward 45Wft. in a strip 6 ft. wide. Near its center it cut directly across one of the 5 house pits. Datum was established at the northwest corner of the trench (Pl. ld). Approximately 950 cu. ft. of material were removed from this trench, with excavation extending to the submound soil at an average depth of about 40 in. Artifacts recovered were relatively few and were limited to points, scrapers, hammerstones, pestles and hoppered-mortar stones. 0 C A 0 A 14 7 Test pits were dug at various places in an effort to find the aboriginal cemetery, but without success. Pit A was dug 6 ft. by 9 ft. to a depth of 55 in., with an area 68 by 55 in. on the south side of the pit which went to a depth of 84 in. before reaching mound base. This deeper section of Pit A had been sunk into undisturbed terrace gravel. It had 7 flat stones, each roughly circular and each about 14 to 16 in. in diameter, laid horizontally across the top of the pit as if to cover it. No evidence of cached material was found in the pit. A total of 410 cu. ft. of material was removed from Pit A. Pit B was dug 6 ft. by 9 ft. with an average depth to submound of 44 in. Volume of material removed was a little more than 205 cu. ft. Pit C was originally also 6 ft. by 9 ft., but an adjoining section 6 ft. by 9 ft. was later dug. Depth averaged 42 to 48 in. The total volume of material removed was about 420 cu. ft. Artifacts from the 3 test pits were of the same nature as those from the trench. No non-aboriginal material was found except that which was exposed when burials were removed from the historic cemetery. It is evi- dent that Site 22 had been abandoned before articles of White manufacture were in general use in the area Site 21 Site 21, 200 yds. to the northwest and about 40 ft. above Site 22, was a Terrace site lying on the southwest end of a remnant of the 50 ft. terrace, with sharp escarpments to the east,, south, and southwest. The site was about 230 ft. long by 150 ft. in maximum width. Mound mass was primarily terrace deposit, including boulders, with a considerable amount of charcoal. Ten shallow house pits were visible; other pits were probably obliterated in the process of clearing the ground of tirber. Excavation. Trench 1, 30 ft. by 6 ft., with an added area of 12 ft. by 6 ft., was dug to an average depth of a little over 24 in. to the submound. Total volume removed was about 500 cu. ft. (P1. le). Artifacts were few, but included articles of non-Indian manufacture, such as square iron nails, bits of glass, some with worked edges, and pieces of' tin, all indicating that Site 21 was inhabited for a time after White influences had reached the area. Again, no burials were found. The statement by Du Bj}s that graveyards were located at considerable distance from the villages seems substantiated. Site 20 Site 20, in the 1 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of section 11, township 3i4N, range 4 W, about 1 mi. downstream from Sites 21 and 22, was essentially a River site, lying along the base of a south-sloping ridge. It ranged in elevation 8- from 783 ft. to 823 ft. above sea level, which made the base of the site, during the sier months, about 15 ft. above and approximately 240 ft. northwest of the river (Pi. if, g). The history of development of this site is suggested as follows: there are three distinct divisions representing three periods of expan- sion of occupation with resultant differences in the deposition of mound material and accompanying artifacts, First: the area occupied by the original village covered about 5,000 sq. ft., with a maximum depth of 72 in. to 84 in. of deposit being attained. Second: an adjoining area, lying above a scarp which was 5 or 6 ft. high at the time of establiahment of the original village, was occupied only after deposition in the first area had reached nearly its maximum depth. The addition of the second part more than doubled the area of the site, widen- ing it and extending it northeastward to another low escarpment. Third: after the deposit of the second area had reached a maximum depth of 24 in., occupation was extended to the level beyond the second escarpment, this level being a remnant of the second or 50 ft. river terrace. The third area stretched northeastward 135 ft. in a strip averaging 60 ft. wide. Occupation was not of long enough duration for deposit to accumulate except in scattered patches; the major remains were sharply defined housepits and occasional artifacts on the surface. The deposit of the first and second areas differed markedly. That of the first was mostly loosely compacted fine sand resembling that of Site 22 except that it was looser, and boulder and cobble inclusions were neither as large nor as numerous. The midden of the second area, however, was nearly identical to that of Site 21, being primarily terrace deposit with charcoal inclusions. It should be noted here that in the first area no artifacts of non- Indian manufacture were found at depths exceeding 10 in. except as oc- curring with burials, whereas in the second area such artifacts were found throughout the deposit. The site as a whole measured 300 ft. along the northeast-southwest axis, and a little more than 100 ft. at the widest point along the oppos- ing axis. Twelve house pits and one dance house pit were well defined. It is probable that there were 2 additional house pits in the original village area, but they were so nearly destroyed that their existence could not be definitely established. The house pits averaged approximately 17 ft. in diameter from crest to crest; doorways could not be located. A dance house pit, located at the southwest extremity of the third occupied area on the 818 ft. contour, was 33 ft. in diameter, with its entrance on the south-southeast side, facing the river. The entire surface of the first and second areas bore an extremely dense growth of Ailanthus altissima, which had to be cleared before excava- tion could proceed. Near the central portion of the first area were the opened graves of Wycotte Cemetery, from which the remains of 9 individuals, from 8 graves, had been removed by the Federal Government for reinterment outside the reservoir. 9. Excavation. An area 9 ft. wide from east to west and 12 ft. long from north to south, lying immediately south of the opened graves, was designated Trench I. Datum was set at the northwest corner of the area. After partial excavation, Trench I was extended eastward 8 ft. from 0 ft. to 6 ft. south of Datum, and 9 ft. westward from 6 ft. to 12 ft. south of Datum. A volume of over 3,900 cu. ft. of this site was excavated from Trench I and from four additional pits designated as Trenches II to V. (See map of site). Burials and artifacts were so frequent in Trench I that work progressed slowly. Excavation was done mostly by trowel and brush. Trench II yielded a considerable number of deer bones (long bones, scapulae, mandibles, etc.). Charred manzanita berries and acorns were numerous. Only one burial (Burial 15) occurred in this trench, which lay northwest of Trench I and was laid out in an L-shape with the north-south arm being 9 ft. by 25 ft. and the east-west arm 10 ft. by 20 ft. Trench III was a pit 6 ft. by 12 ft. excavated to the east of Trench I; and Trench IV was a pit dug in exploration of a house pit lying to the north of Trenches I and II. Trench V, in area 9 sq. ft., was dug to a depth of 10 in. It was located well outside and to the northwest of what is considered the site area, and was dug in order to determine what lay beneath a shallow pile of river cobbles, which had obviously been carried well up the side of the hill. Numerous artifacts were found in this pit, only three of which (two obsidian points and a stone scraper) were of Indian manufacture. The others included china sherds, large iron rings, round iron wire and nails, a tin plate, metal corset stays, a teaspoon, a shovel blade, a pair of scissors, a bronze thimble inscribed "Friendship" and other metal objects. In this trench also was found a cowrie shell, Cod vitellus, a species native only to the South Pacific. It is believed that the area of Trench V was the site of a house in which someone died, the house being then demolished and te area covered with dirt and stones in the manner described by Voegelin. Chipped Stone Artifacts Projectile Points Nearly 95 per cent of the total of 588 projectile points collected are obsidian. With the exception of 2 points which are of iron and 3 others of ss, the remaining 5 per cent are made of various types of chert. Most of the cherts are black and are indigenous to the Shasta Lake area and to the Sierra east of it. A few, however, are Franciscan chert, indicating their importation from the west, possibl ?II I j))) /1 -?K? ? -?-, (? 7- \t?aK4>/ m 0- II I 2) - A I /i I \ \) / I/ I I ANA '2 A16 2~ 7, ' 'AA' Ff9. . Artifacis from ShQ siQ Dam areci s I f f . .......................................................................................................... .t I %. % NBa1 NBbl NBbl SBa SAb SAb SAa SBb SBbt SAbl SAbl SCal SCa2 SCbl SCb2 SCb3 SCa4 NAbl NAb2 NBc SAc NAa .NBa NBb Fig. 2. Typology of projectile points: Shasta Dam area.