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.)
3. A single trapezoidal specimen with no perforation or abrasive
marks, but shaped at its narrow end by chipping. Length, 12 cm.;
width, 6 cm.; 3 mm. thick.
_Miscellaneous Artifacts_
Here, as in the first report, are included objects that constitute part of
the total cultural inventory, but as small or unassociated occurrences,
they require individual descriptions.
_Objects of Stone_
1. A smooth, symmetric piece of fine-grained sandstone that, though
incomplete, is recognizably spindle-shaped. In all probability it is a
fragment of pseudomorphic _belemnite_ cast, but appears to be
analagous to the spindle-shaped charm stones of the Santa Barbara
Hunting Culture or to those of central California or to the single
specimen recovered at the Little Sycamore Site in Ventura County
(Wallace, 1954, fig. 38B, p. 114; pl. 24 _e_).
2. Six clusters of quartz crystals, apparently segments of geodes,
were recovered. Whether collected as a curiosity or whether they
functioned as would a single large crystal for purposes of anamatistic
power, as in central California, can only be conjectured. In 1947 a
very small, terminated crystal was found in direct burial association,
so there remains the possibility that at least single specimens had
some ceremonial significance.
3. Spheroidal cobbles of varying sizes were encountered, especially in
association with features. None appears to have been artificially
shaped either by pecking or grinding, and hence we assume they
represent highly selected specimens collected from the numerous
conglomerate exposures found in Topanga Canyon. Circumstances
surrounding their occurrence offer no clue as to their possible use.
4. Half of a biconically drilled chlorite-schist bead, 1.5 cm. long,
and about 1 cm. in diameter. Both ends appear to be roughly serrated,
but this feature may be accidental. That the bead was at one time worn
on a string appears evident from the high luster at the juncture of
the two conical drill holes.
5. A perforated tip of a fossil shark tooth, on which the enamel is
largely lacking.
BONE IMPLEMENTS
It can be said with certainty that bone tools in any form were not
characteristic of the Tank Site in either Phase I or Phase II.
From both season's work were recovered a single fragment of a bone awl, a
small section of polished bone containing a light drill pit, and the tip
ends of six antlertine flakers. The antler specimens all occurred in the
0- to 12-inch level and probably should be assigned to Phase II since
their distribution would coincide with the pressure-flaked projectile
points.
This near-complete lack of bone artifacts is a pronounced contrast with
later coastal and interior sites. In part it can be suggested that wooden
objects were manufactured at the Tank Site as a substitute for bone.
OTHER REMAINS
_Unworked Bone and Shell_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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