BURIAL METHODS OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 



ISLANDERS 



By Hi;cTOR Alliot, S. D. 



History and romance invest with interest the three islands 

 composing- the Santa Catalina group, oft' the shores of Southern 

 Cahfornia. 



It seems fairh- well estahlishecl that the primitive habitants 

 who first greeted the sight of the Spanish navigators were daring 

 and brave warriors, far more spirited and courageous than the 

 natives of the mainland. 



Numerous implements found from time to time establish 

 the fact also that a highly developed primitive culture obtained 

 upon the thickly populated islands. 



For vears Santa Catalina, now world renowned for its 

 marine gardens of Avalon and its famous fishing grounds, San 

 Clemente to the southwest, and the smaller San Nicolas have 

 been the favorite ex]doration fields of scientists and the curious 

 visitors. The abundant material discovered in numerous burial 

 sites has proved of fascinating interest to students of the stone 

 age artifects of the Pacific Coast. These discoveries, while 

 valuable, were somewhat casual, and more the result of chance 

 than serious effort. 



Recently more systematic work has brought to light a great 

 variety of objects, which form the links of an evolutionary chain 

 of culture little known before. 



In attempting to secure specimens that would lead to a bet- 

 ter kntiwledge of the manufacture of early fishing imidements 

 ard other utensils, the recent expedition of The Southwest 

 Museum to San Nicolas had the good fortune to discover a new 

 form of burial not heretofore recorded. It seems to complete 

 the cvcle of mortuary customs of the pelagic people of the 

 island's, from a ])re-colum!iian period to that of the occupation 

 of the kmd bv the white settlers, and the gradual evanescence 

 of the native triljes. 



William Herman Golisch, in charge of the expedition, se- 

 cured also an important geological collection of the island, be- 

 sides minor techno-lithic objects of great interest. The.se finds, 

 however valuable, are secondary in importance to the discovery 

 of a new form of primitive burial. 



The success of the Golisch party's mission was largely due 

 to the length of time spent on the island, a period of six weeks, 

 rendering" possible systematic and reliable observations. Few 

 persons "had heretofore cared to remain for more than a few 

 days at a time ou the inhospitable, wind-swept spot, where 

 archaeological work cannot be successfully prosecuted without 

 the constant protection of veils and goggles. Even thus 



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