single concentration of stone, being about 8 feet in diameter. In addition
to quantities of unworked pieces of granite and sandstone, the following
artifacts were noted: 53 metate fragments (31 deep basin, 13 shallow
basin, and 9 slab), 15 manos, 11 scraper planes, 4 side scrapers, 5
bifaced chopper, and 2 abrading stones.
_Feature 24 (pl. 18, d)._--Large, decomposed fragments of fired sandstone
(18 × 12 × 11 inches); 2 metate fragments; core tools; and fragments of
human long bones.
_Feature 25 (pl. 19, a)._--Cache of 6 manos.
_Feature 26 (pl. 20, a)._--One slab metate; metate fragments; manos; core
tools; and limonite pigment.
_Feature 27._--Killed, inverted, deep-basin metate; slab metate; 2 scraper
planes; 1 mano; 6 core hammerstones; 1 cobble hammerstone; 1 bifaced
chopper; fossil mammal bone; and fragments of human bones.
_Feature 28 (pl. 20, c)._--Killed, inverted, shallow-basin metate;
fragments of 2 slab metates; 1 shallow-basin type; 4 mano fragments; and 2
core hammerstones. This feature is of interest due to its very shallow
depth (4 inches to top of metate). No disturbance could be detected,
indicating either that when Mr. Trujillo plowed the site (1920) his plow
was drawing less than 4 inches or the deposit has undergone some
degradation since the time of his activity.
_Feature 29._--Inverted, deep-basin metate; hammerstone; granules of red
ocher; and fragments of human long bones.
_Feature 30._--Single, inverted, shallow-basin metate.
_Feature 31._--Inverted, deep-basin metate; 9 complete manos and 3
fragments; 2 scraper planes; 6 core hammerstones; 7 chunks of altered
sandstone; and fragments of human leg bones.
_Feature 32._--Fragments of highly altered metates and 3 chunks of burned
sandstone. Unknowingly, a section of this feature was moved during our
1947 operations.
BURIALS
The number of burials recovered was disappointing in view of the previous
summer's find. In 1947 our efforts had been confined to digging a wide
L-shaped trench peripheral to the central section of the site, from which
six fully extended burials were removed, as well as a disturbed burial and
reburial. Considering this a favorable sample, we anticipated the central
region at least to be as productive. It proved, on the contrary, to be
almost lacking in burials. The few interments we did expose came, again,
from the peripheral sectors. This peripheral occurrence of burials
suggests the possibility of marginal cemeteries rather than burial plots
in the central living area, a feature often characteristic of later
cultures.
More apparent from the field notes than in the course of excavation was
the repeated occurrence of fragmented sets of long bones still in
semiarticulated position. (See features 15_d_, 15_c_, 16, 17, 19, 20, 24,
27, 29, and 31.) The nonarticulated epiphesial extremities were generally
lacking. In some instances sections of both femora and tibiae occurred in
articulated position; in others, just a pair of tibiae or femora, or a
single femur or tibia were left. Burial 1 (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, p.
134; pl. 15, _a_) constitutes a good example of the condition to which we
just referred. Earlier, on the basis of merely this isolated example, we
assumed it to be simply the remains of a disturbed extended burial.
However, the frequent recurrence of the phenomenon this season suggests a
distinct and intentional burial pattern. Often, the segmented long bones
were encountered in conjunction with those features composed of a
concentration of large unworked stone and metate fragments. Some problem
exists as to what happened to the rest of the skeleton. At no time during
excavation did we uncover scattered skull fragments or teeth, and
fragmentary arm bones or other skeletal parts were rare. The bulk of the
dissociated bone consisted of tibiae or femora. Until otherwise indicated,
therefore, we are led to assume that the manifestation results from some
form of sectional body disposal, though its ramifications remain unknown
and precisely comparable situations are unreported in terms of a
consistant pattern.
The data from the two seasons' work thus demonstrate three methods for
disposal of the dead: (1) primary inhumation in the flesh, the
disposition of the corpse being extended, either prone or supine, with
head oriented southerly; (2) reburial, involving only incomplete skeletal
remains, primarily segments of long bones, and covered by a metate, which
is generally inverted; (3) fractional burial, with interment of leg bones
only. The latter is a tentative form, and should it in reality have
existed we are unable to explain such a unique custom that would have
involved body dissection. The nature of the finds, however, suggests
burial of the dismembered lower extremities and not merely a reburial,
hence probably representing a form of primary inhumation.
_Burial 9_[1]
Location: section 22L2.
Depth: 50 in.
Type: fractional burial.
Condition: fair.
Position: indeterminable.
Sex: indeterminable.
Remarks: Partial burial consisting of sections of leg bones. Owing to the
depth, preservation of the existing bone was good. Unfortunately, because
of a cave-in of the unconsolidated earth of last year's fill, a photograph
was impossible.
Artifacts in association: larger part of deep-basin metate. In contrast to
other metates associated with reburials, this specimen was not inverted.
[1] Burials 1-8 described in Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pp. 134-135.
_Burial 10_
(Pl. 17, _e_)
Location: section 16R11.
Depth: 24 in.
Type: fractional burial.
Condition: poor.
Position: ?
Sex: ?
Remarks: Double burial involving only the leg bones. In one burial the
greater part of both femora was present. The original burial position
could have been either flexed or extended, i.e., if the corpse has been
interred _in toto_ in the first place. In the second burial most of the
two tibiae and parts of both femora remained, their position strongly
suggesting flexure. It is impossible to say to what extent the burials
were disturbed, or what happened to the rest of the bodies.
Artifacts in association: none.
Table 1
Burials LAn-1
=========================================================================
| Burial number
Burial data |------------------------------------------------
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
------------------------|------------------------------------------------
Depth from surface |
(inches) | 12 19 18 19 13 7 6 30 50 24 12 26
Primary inhumation | ... x x x x x ... ... ... ... ? ?
Reburial | ... ... ... ... ... ... x x x ... ? ?
Fractional burial | x ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... x ... ...
Extended on ventral side| ... ... ... x ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Flexed | ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ? ... ...
Head oriented | ... s ssw s s s ... ... ... ... ... ...
Artifacts associated | ... ... x x x x x x x ... ... ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
_Burial 11_
(Pl. 18, _a_)
Location: section 15R13.
Depth: 12 in.
Type: partial reburial or disturbed primary burial.
Condition: poor.
Position: indeterminable.
Sex: indeterminable.
Remarks: Fragments of long bones, mandible, and maxilla present. Position
of mandible and maxilla among the leg bones suggests either a former
disturbance of a primary inhumation or a secondary burial.
Artifacts in association: possible feature 15C and a cogged stone found
about 18 inches away.
_Burial 12_
Location: section 17R7.
Depth: 26 in.
Type: indeterminable.
Condition: poor.
Position: indeterminable.
Sex: indeterminable.
Remarks: Bone disintegration and what seemed to have been disturbance
obviated taking adequate information.
Artifacts in association: none.
DESCRIPTION OF ARTIFACTS
To avoid repetition of description, only those types or groups of
specimens not covered in the earlier report will be fully discussed here.
Such categories as have already been isolated and defined will be treated
in summary fashion. For complete descriptive data, the 1947 account of the
Topanga Culture should be consulted. The total tabulations of the major
groups of artifacts derived from both season's excavations will be
presented in this paper.
The artifacts from LAn-2 constitute a problem of their own and will be
described in a later section of this paper covering the excavation of that
site.
FLAKED TOOLS
With few exceptions, the additional flaked tools represent roughly the
same sample as already revealed. Concave scrapers, thumbnail scrapers, a
crescentic stone, and new projectile point types make up the adjunct to
the typology. The frequencies for most of the groups of flaked tools are
reasonably higher than was heretofore indicated. This is probably the
result of the more extensive excavations carried out in the areas of
greatest artifact concentration.
[Illustration: Figure 1. Location of Features and Burials]
_Scraper Planes_
Numerically, scraper planes as an entire class constitute the largest
single stylized group of artifacts from the Tank Site. Some forms display
a marked perfection in flaking technique, and are comparable to
illustrated specimens from the San Dieguito industry (M. J. Rogers, 1929;
1939, pl. 8, _i-j_) on the southern California coast and in the Lake
Mohave Culture (Campbell _et al._, pls. XXVI, XXVII) in the eastern
desert. The majority, however, exhibit only generalized characteristics
with considerable latitude in external form suggesting that their
manufacture required little precision on the part of the maker, and
probably, also, they served essentially as an all-purpose tool. The nature
of the wear on much-used specimens indicated hard usage, such as would
result from repeated contact on an unyielding surface.
Figure 2 illustrates "ideal" scraper-plane types and the following
description is a brief summary of the recognized forms. (For photographs,
see Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pls. 17-19.)
_Type IA_
Round to oval in outline, flat base chipped about the entire perimeter.
Top surface flaked to a near symmetrical dome shape.
_Type IB_
Like IA, except that the upper surface rises to a peak or ridge somewhat
off-center.
_Type IC_
Like IA, but higher and with more latitude in form. Flakes are struck from
the perimeter at a steep angle so that on most specimens height exceeds
diameter.
_Type IIA_
Form is variable, but tends toward subrectangular. About three-quarters of
the basal margin evidences flaking, the remaining portion consists of an
unretouched straight edge caused by the removal of a large primary flake.
_Type IIB_
Like IIA, except that the worked edges display a marked degree of
secondary flaking or resharpening, to the point where sections of the
steepened sides are notably undercut.
_Type III_
Distinct from other forms in that they are shaped from angular rocks on
which two separate working faces have been developed. In other respects
the specimens in this category fall essentially into the IIA class.
Table 2
Frequency of Scraper Planes by Depth
=========================================================================
| Depth (in in.) |
|----------------------------------------------------------|
Type |0-6 6-12 12-18 18-24 24-30 30-36 36-42 42-48 48-54 54-60 |Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
IA | 22 21 16 9 6 4 1 1 ... ... | 80
IB | 11 6 5 8 3 2 1 ... ... ... | 36
IC | 34 52 28 17 14 7 2 1 ... ... | 155
IIA |356 472 385 187 88 43 23 12 2 2 |1,570
IIB | 12 7 10 4 1 ... ... 2 ... ... | 36
III | 29 43 21 17 7 9 3 1 1 ... | 131
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total by| |
level |464 601 465 242 119 65 30 17 3 2 |2,008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
_Scrapers._
_Side scrapers (fig. 3, d-e)._--Ovoid to angular, with convex working
edges. Frequently with scalloped working edges.
_Straight-edge scrapers or knives (fig. 3, f)._--Irregular forms with a
single straight, monofacial retouched margin along one side.
_Ovoid or discoidal scrapers (fig. 3, a)._--Made from large flat flakes,
often showing a percussion bulb on one surface, and worked to a
near-symmetrical form. Chipping may extend over the whole of one or both
faces.
_End scrapers (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pl. 20, k-l)._--Subrectangular
in outline with one of the narrow ends flaked back to a low angle.
_Snub-nosed scrapers (ibid., pl. 20, f-g)._--Like end scrapers with the
exception that the flakes have been removed from the retouched end at a
much steeper angle, producing a blunter but stronger working edge.
_Cobble scrapers (ibid., pl. 20, c)._--Made from a split cobble showing
wear along the sharp curved margin. Only slight retouching.
_Flake scrapers or knives (fig. 3, g)._--Thin flakes monofacially flaked
along portions of their peripheries.
_Concave scrapers (fig. 3, c)._--These are neither common nor are they
clearly stylized. They total only nine, all acquired during the second
season. Though none are alike, they characteristically display a shallow
localized concavity along one edge. In some instances the margin of the
concavity shows signs of notable abrasion. Small chips have been sprung
from the base of the concavity probably through use. Sizes range from 6 to
10 cm. in diameter with the depressions varying from .5 to 2 cm. Seven
specimens were of basalt and one each of chert and porphyry.
[Illustration: Figure 2. Scraper Plane Types]
[Illustration: Figure 3. Scraper Types]
One specimen appears to have served a dual function as a tool. A portion
of one edge is concave and the remainder convex, as on a typical side
scraper. Both working margins display considerable wear.
Examples illustrated by Rogers (1939, pl. 8, _h_, _k_) for the desert
Playa industry differ in that they are consistently subrectangular,
elongated, and have a broader concave scraping edge along each of two
sides.
_Thumbnail scrapers (fig. 3, b)._--Only a single specimen falls in this
category. It is roughly circular in outline, thin, lenticular in cross
section, and flaked on both surfaces. The example made of a dark-brown
chert is 2 cm. in diameter and 4 mm. thick. The lone occurrence of this
type of tool would seem to indicate a lack of emphasis on light delicate
work. Implements of this nature are usually best associated with cultures
of later origin.
_Choppers_
_Unifaced choppers or heavy duty scrapers._--These are produced from large
cores of basalt or from a split cobble and exhibit flaking only on one
face. (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pl. 20, _d-e_).
_Bifaced choppers._--These are large cores bifacially flaked along an edge
to effect a sharp, sinuous margin that may extend around the entire
periphery or only a portion of it (_ibid._, pl. 20, _a-b_).
_Crescentic Stone or "Amulet"_
This class is represented by but a half of a single specimen obtained
during the second season (pl. 21, _m_). Though this specimen varies
somewhat from illustrated examples there seems to be little doubt as to
its general classification. The function of these implements remains open
to question, and varient forms appear to have considerable latitude in
time and areal distribution in western United States. Similar forms may be
noted for the Lake Mohave Culture and the San Dieguito-Playa industry
(Campbell _et al._, 1937. pl. XXXVIII, _a-c_; M. J. Rogers, 1939, pl. 8,
_a-c_).
_Drill or Reamer_
(Pl. 23, _d-e_)
Two very similar pieces make up the addition to this class. Both are
elongated, tapering sections of rose quartzite on which the margins have
been retouched and the tip of each is notably abraded. The large ends show
no evidence of preparation for hafting, so presumably they were used as a
hand reamer or drill. The lengths are 6 cm. and 10 cm.
_Hand Pick_
The two new specimens, roughly triangular in outline, resemble the single
piece recovered in 1947. On both, the working end tapers to a heavy,
well-formed point, whereas the opposite end is bulbous and fits
comfortably into the palm of the hand. Lengths are 9.8 cm. and 13 cm.,
respectively, with basalt and quartzite as materials.
_Projectile Points_
Since projectile points as a general class have proved to be the best
criteria for establishing the stratigraphic differences whereby Topanga
Phase I and Phase II may be distinguished, and because projectile points,
to some measure, provide useful comparative data, it seems advisable to
illustrate all the complete and near-complete specimens collected during
both seasons.
With additional information some modification has been made over last
seasons presentation. Here are included two groups of projectile points,
each of which is associated with a definite phase of the Topanga Culture.
Phase I is characterized by large blades and large points, most of which
are composed of a highly patinated basalt and have been manufactured
through the percussion or rough pressure-flaking technique (pl. 21,
_a-l_). Phase II is characterized by small projectile points of the "dart"
class which in material range through slightly patinated basalt, glassy
basalt, obsidian, chalcedony, and chert. All have been finished in a rough
to medium pressure technique (pl. 22, _c-u_). Totally absent in either
phase is the light, thin, finely pressure-flaked "arrow point" of the
historic or protohistoric periods.
Table 3
Frequency of Flaked Artifacts by Depth
=========================================================================
| Depth (in in.) |
|---------------------------------------------------------|
Type |0-6 6-12 12-18 18-24 24-30 30-36 36-42 42-48 48-54 54-60|Total
---------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----
Side | |
scrapers|178 129 73 37 12 5 7 3 2 1 | 447
Straight-| |
edge | |
knives | 75 42 42 19 12 3 ... 2 1 ... | 196
Ovate | |
scrapers| 9 10 5 8 1 1 1 ... ... ... | 35
End | |
scrapers| 11 14 10 8 2 4 ... ... ... ... | 49
Snub-nose| |
scrapers| 8 15 6 1 2 ... ... ... ... ... | 32
Flake | |
scrapers| 25 20 14 8 2 1 3 ... ... ... | 73
Cobble | |
scrapers| 2 1 3 ... 1 1 ... ... ... ... | 8
Concave | |
scrapers| 3 3 2 1 ... ... ... ... ... ... | 9
Thumbnail| |
scrapers| 1 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... | 1
Unifaced | |
choppers| 48 56 33 27 12 3 3 3 ... ... | 185
Bifaced | |
choppers|152 117 113 49 14 7 6 5 1 ... | 464
Core | |
hammer- | |
stones |339 422 429 154 93 17 18 9 5 1 |1,478
---------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----
Total by | |
level |851 829 730 312 151 42 38 22 9 2 |2,986
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the physical and technological differences between the
projectile points of Phase I and Phase II there remains important
stratigraphic differences that are clearly shown in table 4. The large
blades and points of Phase I are primarily confined to the lower levels of
the site with the deepest occurrence at the 54-to-60-inch level and a
maximum occurrence in the 12-to-18-inch level. Almost a complete reversal
of this may be observed in the distribution of Phase II points. Here the
maximum occurrence is in the 0-to-6-inch level and none occurred below
the 18-to-24-inch level. That some degree of overlap is present can be
expected, assuming our interpretation of the erosional history of the Tank
Site is correct (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, p. 131). In any stratified
site, unless the cultural levels are separated by a sterile layer of some
thickness some degree of cultural mixing may be anticipated. Previously
unknown to us was the fact that Mr. Trujillo had plowed the site in
earlier days and this, plus rodent activities, could have brought about
considerable mixing in the upper 12 inches of the deposit. Though less
digging was done in the Phase II site LAn-2, it is significant to note
that only the small pressure-flaked projectile points were present. In
form and material they resemble in near exactness the material from the
0-to-12-inch level of the Tank Site (pl. 23, _f-m_).
Two specimens, a large blade and large point (pl. 22, _a_, _b_), have
tentatively been assigned to Phase II though there may be some doubt as to
their cultural provenience. The blade, composed of a dark-brown chert,
shows considerable pressure-flaking skill as evidenced by the serrations
along both margins. The large point composed of obsidian lacks refinement
in flaking but shows little or no evidence of surface alteration
(patination). Also, both these types are of not uncommon occurrence in the
coastal shell middens that can be assigned to periods of less antiquity
than the Tank Site.
Assigned to Phase I are three heavy points which, because of their nature,
stand in contrast to the typical patinated basalt specimens; yet their
association in the site deposit is such that they must be considered along
with other projectile points as belonging to the Phase I period. Plate 21,
_l_, illustrates a dark-brown chert blade with a concave base which was
flaked either by controlled percussion or a rough-pressure technique. This
specimen was found in direct association with an extended burial of the
Phase I type (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pl. 15, _f_; pl. 21, _i_), and
hence has been assigned to this period. Though its presence appears out of
character with the heavy basalt examples, this association is not
necessarily unique, for almost an identical example may be noted for the
Lake Mohave Culture (Campbell _et al._, 1937, pl. XLIV, _e_; pl. XLV,
_d_). A second specimen composed of a white chert and having a broad
angular stem base finds no other parallels in the Topanga area (pl. 21,
_k_), yet it too occurs in the Lake Mohave area where such forms are
classed as a Silver Lake type (_ibid._, pl. XLII, _d_). The third specimen
is composed of a thin piece of laminated chert, leaf-shaped in form, and
displays only slight marginal flaking in its original shaping. This
example was recovered at a depth of 60 inches and marks the greatest depth
of any projectile point recovered from the Tank Site.
[Illustration: Figure 4. Projectile Points]
Table 4
Projectile Points
=========================================================================
| Occurrence by depth (in in.) |
Points |---------------------------------------------------------|
|0-6 6-12 12-18 18-24 24-30 30-36 36-42 42-48 48-54 54-60|Total
---------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----
| _Phase II_ |
Side- | |
notched|... 3 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... | 3
Contract-| |
ing | |
stem | 3 4 2 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... | 9
Lozenge | 9 3 2 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... | 14
Fragments| 26 14 5 1 ... ... ... ... ... ... | 46
---------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----
Total | 38 24 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 | 72
---------|---------------------------------------------------------------
Blades and large points
---------|---------------------------------------------------------------
| _Phase I_ |
Blades |... 3 6 1 1 1 ... 1 1 ... | 14
Large |
points | 2 4 2 ... ... 1 ... 1 1 1 | 12
---------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----
Total | 2 7 8 1 1 2 0 2 2 1 | 26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
_Small "Dart" Points_
_Side-notched points (pl. 22, c, d, e)._--A single example differs in some
degree with specimens recovered last season. It is smaller, having a
length of 3 cm. and with a slightly concave base. Though this is a surface
specimen composed of obsidian, the surface has been so highly patinated
that it bears little resemblance to its parent material (pl. 22, _d_).