The Topanga Culture: Final Report on Excavations, 1948Treganza, Adan E. (Adan Eduardo)
History
The Topanga Culture: Final Report on Excavations, 1948
Treganza, Adan E. (Adan Eduardo)
California -- Antiquities; Topanga Canyon (Calif.)
2. Specimen made from a thin piece of banded, laminated chert.
Shaping was done merely by marginal flaking, as the original surface
shows no working. Coming from a depth of 60 inches, this marks the
greatest depth of any large point. Length, 5.4 cm.; width, 2.8 cm.;
and 5 cm. thick (pl. 21, _j_).
3. Basal fragment of a large blade. This broad, angular base is a
unique occurrence for the Tank Site, though some parallels may be
noted in Lake Mohave specimens. This single piece possesses sharp,
angular shoulders that terminate in a broad, flat, angular base. The
material is a white chert (pl. 21, _k_).
[Illustration: Figure 5. Metate Types]
GROUND OR PECKED STONE
_Manos and Metates_
As heretofore, manos far outnumber metates in the deposit. An explanation
of this inequitable representation of milling stones has already been
discussed in some detail (Treganza and Malamud, 1950; p. 140), _viz._,
that the more rapid wear of the nether stone periodically called for manos
of somewhat varying shapes to conform to the changing contour of the
metate throughout its serviceable life. Proof to substantiate this thesis
is lacking, but it appears to be a reasonable possibility. Also, the
practice of pecking manos to increase the effectiveness of their grinding
surfaces must have resulted in considerable breakage, as judged by the
large number of fragments.
Of 2,556 manos and 329 metates, whole and fragmentary, 962 and 79
respectively, were classifiable. The descriptive categories derived from
the 1947 data proved adequate in defining the limits of variability and
patterning displayed by our recent acquisitions. Some pieces exhibit
technological refinement of types earlier described.
_Metates_
Metates are of three types, called here deep basin, shallow basin, and
flat slab. As was true last season, the material is predominantly
sandstone for all three forms.
_Type I, deep basin (fig. 5, a, c, e)._--These are the most abundant.
Fifteen complete specimens and seventeen fragments were recovered. In both
form and size there exists a close parallel between this type and those
associated with the Oak Grove Culture of the Santa Barbara area.
_Type II, shallow basin (fig. 5, b, d; pl. 18, c right)._--This type is
represented by fifteen complete and eleven fragments.
_Type III, slab (fig. 5, f; pl. 18, c)._--Like type II, the slab metate is
less common, being known only through eleven complete and ten fragmentary
specimens.
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