Archaeology of the Coronados Islands

Location: San Diego Archaeological Center
Cost: Free

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.