Events and More

Living Room Lecture: Western Colorado Desert

This presentation discusses the results of archaeological studies within the western Colorado Desert of Southern California over the past 100 years.  The region represents the traditional lands of the Cahuilla, Kumeyaay (Ipai and Tipai), and Kwaaymii.  Malcolm Rogers worked in the western Colorado Desert during the 1920s and 1930s and made important observations about pictographs, petroglyphs, geoglyphs, cleared circles, trails, house remains, and other cultural remains throughout the region.  A summation of results and a commentary of the major excavation projects in the study area from the 1950s through the 2000s are also offered, as well as the results of certain site survey projects.  Michael Sampson’s observations about site survey data within this region will consist primarily of the cleared circle sites and similar sites, as well as certain occupation sites and food processing sites. The archaeological remains of this study area predominately date to the Late Prehistoric Period and early historic period; evidence of cultural remains from the Archaic Period is relatively sparse. However, the Archaic Period is well represented at Indian Hill Rockshelter, a site that will be discussed.

The archaeological data from the study area reflect rich, long-held cultural practices that seem consistent with ethnographic accounts and indicate people with strong ties to these lands. Mr. Sampson’s research demonstrates that the Indigenous people of the region viewed their land holistically and chose places for use due to a favorable geographic setting, the presence of certain natural resources, and an inherent spiritual nature in specific landscape features and particular locations.  The desert also possesses the capacity to inspire, to evoke memories in oral traditions, and otherwise promote knowledge and well-being.

Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Online on Zoom
Cost: Pay what you wish

Register for Lecture

About the Presenter

Michael Sampson is a retired California State Parks archaeologist; in his career, he worked throughout the state but primarily in Southern California.  His research interests include California Archaeology (in particular, the Colorado Desert and local mountains), stone tool technology and function, ceramic artifacts, traditional fiber technology, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, California red wines, and others.  Michael has a BA in Anthropology from CSU, Northridge and a MA in Anthropology from Washington State University.  He is co-director of a California non-profit research organization, Center for Research in Traditional Culture of the Americas.  Michael coauthored the California Archaeological Resources Protection Act with Dr. Susan Hector for which they were awarded a Governor’s Historic Preservation Award in 2011.  Michael was awarded an Excellence in Cultural Resource Management Award by the Society for California Archaeology in 2013.  In 2016, Michael was given the Award of Honor by the San Diego Congress of History for his contributions to the preservation of history in our region.  Michael is also a long-time volunteer in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

You May Also Like

2nd Saturday Lecture Screenings
June 2, 2022
Summer Serenade Community Event
June 2, 2023
Artifact Illustration Class
November 18, 2022

Collections Research

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will identify, design, and conduct an original research project that uses the Center’s archaeological collections. The intern will formulate a plan for public dissemination of the project results as a journal publication, a museum exhibit, or a public class or lecture. During the course of the research and dissemination planning, the intern will receive training in research design, collections management, artifact analysis, and exhibit design and production as appropriate to the selected project.

Archaeology Lab Positions

Volunteers will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. Center staff will instruct the volunteer on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Volunteers work in the Center’s Research Library, cataloguing materials and organizing on a computer-based system.

Marketing and Administrative Volunteers assist the Development Office or Administration Office with data entry, updating marketing materials and clerical tasks. Computer experience is a plus.

Docents welcome visitors and answer general questions regarding the Center and exhibits. Docents staff the gift shop and help out with administrative and curatorial tasks.

Volunteers support event activities at the Center, such as the Annual BBQ, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events. Be a part of the party!

Volunteer provide support for K-12 programs offered at the Center. These are fun, hands-on programs that kids really enjoy. Teaching experience is a plus, but not required. Background checks are required.

Collections Management

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. During the course of the internship, the intern will learn to identify artifacts and ecofacts common to the San Diego region, including lithics, ceramics, historical objects, and faunal, botanical, and mineral specimens. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and preventative conservation. In addition, the intern will become familiar with historical trends in archaeological practice in the San Diego area and will be introduced to current legal and ethical issues in archaeological curation as well as the concerns and rights of culturally affiliated groups with regard to archaeological materials.

Development and Marketing

Under the direction of Center staff, the intern will support the department in various activities, including, but not limited to, fundraising and grant research; e-newsletter development; social media marketing; and website maintenance. This internship will give the intern valuable, real-world experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing.

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Prospective Interns must have completed three courses: Introduction to GIS, GIS Database Management, and Intermediate/Advanced Methods in GIS. The intern will be assigned a project where they will create shapefiles and maps for curated archaeological collections, museum exhibits, and/or public outreach using ArcGIS 10.6. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological GIS laboratory procedures such as computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and database management.

Library Science

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will arrange and catalog materials in the Center’s library. During the course of the internship, the intern will take a leading role in the cataloging, sorting and storing of research files and creating user guides for these collections. Center staff will instruct the intern on archival procedures, computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Public Archaeology

With the assistance of Center staff, interns will research, design, and produce a project that educates the public about archaeology or a related field using the Center’s archaeological collections. Interns may create virtual museum exhibits and related activities, develop curricula for K-12 programs in line with current content standards, or plan and present a public class or lecture. Per approval, special projects of the intern’s choosing are also available. During the course of the research and planning, the intern will receive guidance as appropriate to the selected project.