Archaeology on the Coronados Islands
The San Diego Archaeological Center announces Archaeological Investigations and Reconnaissance of the Coronados Islands, presented by Joseph McCain. Despite their attractiveness to early human migrants and maritime foragers, small islands often are overlooked in archaeological and historical ecological investigations. Along Alta and Baja California, the Channel Islands and Isla Cedros have been the focus of extensive and intensive archaeological investigations. Even with the wealth of data from islands to the north and south, the Coronados Islands, a small set of four islands off the northwestern Baja California coast, have been the subject of very little scientific archaeological research. Joseph McCain will present his findings after an initial field season was completed in 2016. This research produced the first radiometric dates from the Coronados Islands, built an initial settlement chronology and occupational history, identified several prehistoric sites with high research potential, and laid the foundation for future archaeological and historical ecological studies of the island group.
Joseph McCain is a recent graduate from San Diego State University where he received his Master of Arts in anthropology. He is originally from Arkansas and moved to San Diego to pursue his interests in coastal archaeology and historical ecology of the Pacific coast. During his time in graduate school, he was involved in research projects in east San Diego County, Santa Rosa Island, and Santa Cruz Island. He has worked for the last two field seasons on the Coronados Islands of Baja California, Mexico as part of the Archaeological Reconnaissance and Investigations of the Coronados Islands.