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 15d, 15c, 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 interredin totoin 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.
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 interredin totoin 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 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 12Location: 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.
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.
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.
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 (Campbellet 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
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.
Figure 2. Scraper Plane Types
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 (Campbellet 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
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 (Campbellet 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.
Figure 4. Projectile Points
Table 4
Projectile Points
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).
Contracting-stem points (pl. 22, f, g, j, k).—This type has some latitude in respect to the shape of the stem and some refinement probably could be made. Some specimens have well-defined shoulders and are with stems which contract to a sharp point (pl. 22,g,k), being reminiscent of points associated with the Hunting and Canalino cultures of the Santa Barbara coast. In other instances shoulders are less well-defined, or the stems terminate in more rounded bases. The lengths range from 2.7 cm. to 4.2 cm. The materials include basalt, chert, chalcedony, and obsidian.
Lozenge points (pl. 22, h, i, l-u).—Numerically this group constitutes the largest class of the small projectile points. Were a larger series present, some refinement of types might be attempted. Of the fourteen specimens, some tend toward diamond shapes, whereas others border small leaf or stem forms. Lengths range from 2.5 cm. to 4.1 cm. Materials used are obsidian, basalt, chert, and quartz.
Large Blades and Large Points
The large blades and points collected this season show some variation over those of last year, both in finishing technique, form, and material. Frequently, for lack of established terminology, it is difficult to distinguish between what might be termed a chipped knife, leaf-shaped blade, or a coarsely made projectile point. We attempt only a rough breakdown between blades and large points, either of which if hafted could serve the purpose of a knife. All specimens are illustrated and may be judged by the observer.
Described below are only those additional specimens collected this year. For full details the 1950 report should be consulted.
Large blades (pl. 21, a-g).—