TTM 26524 Archaeological Resource Surveysec iv�z��9v
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE SURVEY
OF
THE ORCHARD
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA
Prepared for
La Quinta Orchards Partners
41-555 Cook Street
Palm Desert, California 92260
Prepared by:
TMI Environmental Services
2707 Congress Street, Suite 2L
San Diego, California 92110
October 2, 1990
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Orchards project (TR 26524 and TPM 26525) is situated on a
rectangularly shaped 44 acre parcel located south of Avenue 50. It is between Jefferson
Street and Washington Street within the city of La Quinta. Access to the property is from
Avenue 50. The project proposal calls for the development of 8 one-half acre lots, 11
two-thirds acre lots, 20 three-quarter acre lots and 8 lots one acre or greater. Access to
the lots will be from Avenue 50 and internal circulation streets.
Currently the property is used primarily as a citrus orchard. A small remnant
dune is located in the south eastern corner of the property. This is the only "natural" area
remaining in the 44 acres with the orchard having been graded before planting the citrus
trees. Topographically, the dune is trending northeast/southwest. Elevation ranges from a
low of 40 feet above mean sea level (AML) to a high of 71 feet AML. The top of the
dune exhibits a narrow clearing that is surrounded by mesquite trees. Another small sand
dune is located adjacent to Avenue 50. This small feature has been flattened on its top
and exhibits evidence of disturbance through grading. Elevations of this nearly rectangular
feature range from 55 feet AML to 61 feet AML. The remaining portions of the 44 acre
parcel slopes from north to south. Elevations range from approximately 47 feet AML to
41 feet AML. Soil on the property is primarily poorly sorted greyish colored sand. Few
cobbles or other stones were noted.
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AVE. 52
H. RECORD SEARCH INFORMATION
An archaeological record search and review of existing open literature on the
project vicinity was conducted at the Regional Information Center located at the
University of California at Riverside. There 24 recorded prehistoric archaeological sites
within the immediate vicinity of the The Orchards project. This includes two sites two
sites recorded within the boundaries of the project.
These sites along with two others were recorded by Drover in 1986 during a survey of
three 40 acre parcels for the Rufus Associates. The four sites consisted primarily of
pottery fragments and some shell and granite cobbles. Only one of the sites remains
intact. RIV- 3131 is located on the remnant dune in the southeastern corner of The
Orchards property. This site was recorded by Drover as containing 10 pottery sherds, one
piece of granite, one burnt bone and small fragments of fresh water clams within a 5 by 5
meter area. Drover indicates that the material was found "in a small clearing or "blowout"
between two large hedges of Mesquite" (Drover 1986 9-10). Another site only designated
as Orchard 2 is located on the rectangular dune adjacent to Avenue 50. Five potsherds
were found in a very disturbed context.
Five sites identified during another study are located to the west of The Orchard property
(Arkush 1990). These sites included RIV-1182, RIV-3143, RIV-3144, RIV-3868, and
RIV-3882. A test excavation program at each of the five sites was undertaken to
determine the significance of the sites. The results of the test program indicated that the
sites were generally used on a limited basis as campsites. RIV-3144 did contain a
cremation burial while RIV-3868 and RIV 3882 were apparently pot drops.
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III. CULTURAL BACKGROUND
The significant cultural focal point in the Coachella Valley was Lake
Cahuilla. This lake was formed primarily by surface discharge from the Colorado River,
(Weide 1974:8, Wilke 1976). The flow from the river was not always permanent,
resulting in "three lacustral intervals in the Salton Basin representing an unknown number
of stands of Lake Cahuilla during approximately the last 2,000 years" (Wilke 1976:90).
Using radiocarbon dating techniques, historical and ethnographical information, the date of
the stands of Lake Cahuilla as placed as follows (Weide 1974:12; Wilke 1976:90):
First Stand 100 BC to AD 600
Second Stand AD 900 to AD 1250
Third Stand AD 1300 to AD 1500
From the time the inflow of the Colorado River stopped to the point where a
desert environment had taken over the lake basin was less than one century (Wilke
1976:93). Prior to the desiccation of the Lake, the environment around its shores would
have provided an optimum setting for human habitation. The edges and inlets would have
been marsh. The dunes that are currently present would have also been present in the
past. These would have provided a zone suitable for occupation. Plant that provided a
subsistence base to the prehistoric people could be found in the marsh. Numerous animal
species which were used by the ancient inhabitant were also present along the marsh and
lake edges.
There is evidence that the Coachella valley has been occupied continuously
from the time of the last high stand of Lake Cahuilla to the present. It is likely that as
the lake desiccated the people followed the retreating water and that the higher elevations
would have provided an adequate location for campsites.
Southern California has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years by a number
of cultural groups. These groups are called by various names in the archaeological
literature. for the purposes of this report they will be referred to by cultural horizons. The
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earliest of these is the Paleo-Indian. These people are exemplified by the Clovis, Folsom,
and San Dieguito Traditions. These people are the big game hunters. They generally lived
in small extended family bands within a defined territory. They occupied portions of
southern California from approximately 12,000 years BY to about 7,000 years B.P. This
stage was followed by the Early Archaic. This stage is usually identified with cultural
complexes within the California deserts. Within the literature these people are referred to
as the Amaragosa, and Pinto. They occupied the area from about 7,000 years B.P. to
about 2,000 years B.P.
The last stage is referred to as the Late Archaic. People of this stage
occupied southern California from about 2,000 years B.P. to the time of Anglo-American
occupation. The people of this stage are the antecedents of the modern Cahuilla Indians
living within the Coachella Valley. It is for that reason that a brief discussion will be
included here regarding the Cahuilla Indians. To assume that there is a one to one
correlation between the prehistoric peoples and modern people would be a mistake. As the
physical environment changed, it is probable that many aspects of the culture also
changed. What is presented here is meant as a general framework for reference for the
material located during this project.
The Cahuilla have been the subject of ethnographic studies for the past 100+
years. As a result there is a large body of data on their culture. These people practised a
gathering subsistence pattern supplemented by hunting and a transitory type of agriculture
(Bean 1972; Bean and Blackburn 1976:26).
Their social organization was exemplified by the lineage which was the basic
corporate group. They were further arranged into exogamous clans and moieties (Bean
and Blackburn 1976:122). The village was made up of a number of clans and moieties.
Each village was permanent and controlled a number of resource camps which were used
on a seasonal basis.
The village was the focal point of most cultural activity. It formed the bond between the
clan.
The material culture often associated with these people includes; triangulate
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projectile points, shaped and unshaped grinding stones, pestles, various scrapers and
choppers, pottery, basketry, beads, and various tools. The villages were made up shelters
for individual families was well as structures for the storage of foodstuffs.
It is often difficult to make assumptions from ethnographic present to
archaeological findings, especially when the physical environment has changed as
drastically as has the environment of the Coachella Valley. However, if a pattern of
village and resource camps is determined to be in operation around the shores of Lake
Cahuilla, then it is possible that the social organization of the prehistoric peoples may
have been similar to that of the modern Cahuilla.
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IV. SURVEY METHODOLOGY
TMI Environmental Services was retained by The Orchards Partners to
conduct a cultural resources survey on that portion of the Orchards project which contains
the intact sand dune. This work was carried out by Stanley R. Berryman and Robert
Berryman on September 9, 1990. The sand dune was examined using a series of
north/south transects. During the course of the study the site recorded as RIV 3131 by
Drover was relocated.
V. SITE DESCRIPTION
Archaeological site RIV 3131 consisted of six pottery fragments. The site is
located in a blowout on top of the sand dune at an elevation of approximately 71 feet
AML. The pottery sherds were found in two clusters of three sherds each. The pottery
within each cluster appeared to be from the same vessel leading to the conclusion that
they may represent two portions of two pot drops. In addition to the pottery
approximately 10 to 15 fragments of red tile were found on top of the dune. No other
artifacts were located. The size of the site is approximately 5 to 8 meters in diameter. The
site are has been extensively disturbed by wind erosion. The dune which contains the site
exhibits disturbance though deposition of some modern trash.
The material found during this survey is nearly the same as that found
during the Drover survey with the exception that he noted 10 pottery sherds, one fragment
of granite and a small amount of burnt bone.
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VI. EVALUATION OF THE SITES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
To determine the value of the archaeological sites located on The Orchard
Property it is necessary to evaluate the significance of the site. The concept of
significance or importance in archaeology is often a source of both frustration and
confusion. The term "significance" as applied to an archaeological site differs in its
meaning from the California Environmental Quality Act's (CEQA) term "significant
project impact" to significance of the actual archaeological site. The CEQA definition
refers to the degree of resource elimination by a permit approved activity, while the latter
is the assessment of value to the citizens of California. Section 15082 (Article 7, Chapter
3, Division 6, Title 14 of the California Administrative Code) reads that:
"A project shall be found to have a significant effect on the environment if a) the
project has the potential to ..... eliminate important examples of major periods
of California history or prehistory (March 4, 1978, revised edition)."
In recent literature, Cultural Resource Management (CRM) professional have
sought to refine and clarify the questions of significance in response to the needs of
people in local communities, government agencies, industry and private land owners. The
crux of the arguments and concerns about site significance evaluation and the decision
making process are best illustrated by the following summaries:
"The fact that archaeological sites and the information they contain are the only
clues to much of human life in the past makes every site potentially significant.
It is generally recognized, however, that defining significance implies some frame
of reference, probable orientation, geographical, temporal or other context against
which an archaeological site is to be evaluated".
(McGimsey and Davis 1977:31)
"Because the importance of a given resource depends on the context of
assessment as well as its inherent qualities, there can be no universal or absolute
measures of cultural worth. Neither is it possible for archaeologists or planners to
use a check list of standard criteria as a recipe for brewing up a batch of
significance. The criteria of significance changes as the research goals of
archaeology evolve and as public interest and priorities shift and various
measures of significance may augment, cross -cut or even contradict one another.
Thus archaeological significance is both dynamic and relative".
(Lipe and Grady 1975; Moratto and Kelly 1978)
While the above quotation is valid, archaeologists must use some criteria to
determine site significance. Therefore, for the purposes of assessing the significance or
"uniqueness" of the sites located on The Orchards property, the guidelines listed in
Appendix K of CEQA will be used. In summary these are:
a) the site is associated with event/person of recognized scientific importance in
prehistory;
b) the site can provide information which is both of demonstrated public interest
and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable research
questions;
c) the site has a special or particular quality such as oldest, best example, largest,
or last surviving example of its kind;
d) site involves important research questions that historic research has shown can
be answered only with archaeological methods.
The criteria which TMI Environmental Services use provide measures against
which significance assessments can be made:
1) site variability
2) identification of cultural chronology
3) identification of land -use patterns
4) artifact densities/variability
5) potential for dating
6) potential for fauna/floral analysis
7) potential for intrasite variability
Once the significance of the site is determined, this can be weighed against the
CEQA requirement to assess the level of impact to the resource. If the site is found to
have little or no potential to meet the criteria listed above, the level of impacts will be
considered insignificant. However, if the site is "unique or significant" under the
definition of Appendix K, then the level of impacts, if any, will be significant.
RIV-3131 contains only five artifacts. Of this number three sherds appear to be
from one pottery vessel. The site is located in a "blow out". There is evidence of
disturbance on the sand dune by recent activities. Also the number of artifacts have
decreased since the Drover survey. The site is very similar to RIV-3868 and RIV-3882
excavated by Arkush (1990). RIV-3868 was located on a small sand dune and consisted
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of two distinct concentrations of ceramic sherds made up of 52 potsherds. Some fire -
fractured rock and Anodonta shell fragments were found at the site (Arkush 1990:58).
RIV-3882 was located on a sand ridge and consisted of a scatter of 20 potsherds (Arkush
1990:60). Both sites were most likely pot drops or single activity sites and did not
contain significant cultural deposits (Arkush 1990:64). Each site contained significantly
larger deposits of cultural material than does RIV-3131.
RIV-3131 does not exhibit any variability of the material present. It does not contain
information to aid in identification of cultural chronology or land -use patterns. It has
limited potential for dating, faunal/floral analysis or intrasite variability studies. Based on
findings of the current survey, the 1988 Drover survey, and the findings by Arkush (1990)
at the nearby sites RIV-3868 and RIV-3882, site RIV-3131 does appear to meet the
criteria for significance as defined in Appendix K of CEQA. As a result no mitigating
measures will be necessary during construction of The Orchard Project.
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REFERENCES CITED
Arkush, Brooke, S.
1990 Archaeological Investigations at Ca-RIV-1182, CA-RIV-3143, CA-RIV-
3144, CA-RIV-3868, CA-RIV-3882, Tentative Tract 25429, La Quinta,
Central Riverside County, California. Conducted for Chateau Development
Company
Bean, J.L.
1972 Mukats People: The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of
California Press, Berkeley.
Bean, J.L. and T.C. Blackburn
1976 Native Californians: A Theoretical Retrospective. Ballena Press, Ramona.
Binford, L.
1964 A Consideration of Archaeological Research Design. American Antiquity
29: 425-441.
Drover C.E.
1986 Environmental Impact Evaluation: An Archaeological Assessment of The
Proposed Orchard Hotel Complex La Quinta, Riverside County, Califor-
nia. Conducted for Rufus Associates.
Lipe, W. D. and M. A. Grady
1975 The Problem of Significance. Unpublished manuscript on file, Washington
State University, Pullman and Southern Methodist University, Dallas.
McGimsey, C. and H. Davis
1977 The Management of Archaeological Resources. Arlie House Report,
Society for American Archaeology. Washington, D.C.
Moratto, M. and R. Kelly
1989 Optimizing Strategies for Evaluating Archaeological Significance. In
Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory, Vol I., edited by M.
Schiffer. Academic Press.
Weide, D.L.
1974 Background to Prehistory of the Yuha Desert Region, Philip Wilke, editor.
United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management.
Weide, M.L. and J.P. Barker
1974 Background to the Prehistory of the Yuha Desert Region. Archaeological
Research Unit, University of California. Unpublished document prepared
for the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Desert
Planning Unit.
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Wilke, P.J.
1976 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella Valley,
California. PhD Dissertation, University of California, Riverside.
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