Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579 FAX: (602) 965-9169
INTERNET: [log in to unmask] Owner: HISTARCH
*** Forwarding note from IACAGC --ASUACAD 11/13/94 17:38 ***
To: ARCH --CMSNAMES
From: Anita Cohen-Williams
Subject: San Diego Presidio Archaeology Project, Part 2
Weekly Project Summary from NCCC corps members, Week 5
Welcome to the San Diego Presidio Archaeology Project! The following is the
first installment of our weekly project summary of our Internet Outreach
Program. This will mark the first time any archaeological study will be
reported worldwide on a continuing basis via Internet. Through these reports
we intend to keep the archaeological community updated on the progress of the
Western United States' largest ongoing archaeological project. [If this isn't
true, please let me know!]
Soldiers, sailors, Native Americans, and Franciscan missionaries from New
Spain occupied Presidio Hill on May 17, 1769 as a military outpost. Two months
later, Father Junipero Serra established the first mission in California at
the same location. This mission was later moved six miles east, but the
presidio continued until its abandonment in 1837. This site is unique in that
it has not been disturbed by urban development, due to the farsighted thinking
of George Marston who preserved it as a public park in the 1920's.
The current excavation is concentrated in the north wing of the presidio.
Eight rooms have been uncovered with several containg intact tile floors.
Some of the recent finds include a brass cufflink from the 18th century,
pieces of maiolica (a tin-lead enameled earthware from Mexico), specifically a
type known as San Diego Polychrome with a human face motif, a great deal of
animal bone, and a piece of plainware with a cross painted on it.
The Center for Spanish Colonial Archaeology, the NCCC, and the San Diego
Historical Society (all co-sponsors of the dig), are commiteed to educating
the public about the historical significance of San Diego's first settlement.
Fourth graders are brought to the site on a daily basis to experience
firsthand the joys of a dig and are encouraged to ask questions [no, we don't
let them dig, but we do let them look through our screens.].
If you have any questions, please direct them to me (Anita Cohen-Williams,
[log in to unmask]).
Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579 FAX: (602) 965-9169
INTERNET: [log in to unmask] Owner: HISTARCH
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