Construction Monitoring
Archaeological and Native American monitors observe ground-disturbing project work where there are known or potentially buried archaeological features, cultural deposits, or tribal cultural resources in order to protect sensitive or significant resources and to ensure or verify compliance with environmental laws and project specifications. They also document and record any unearthed or exposed cultural materials.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – Public-Use Area Construction Monitoring
Beginning in autumn 2018 and continuing to present, California State Parks’ Southern Service and San Diego Coast District archaeologists, and local Kumeyaay (Native American) representatives have been conducting construction monitoring for a new public-use space in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Construction monitoring has included observing building demolition and removal of structural elements, as well as observing excavation, trenching, grading and installation of underground utilities and other landscape features for the new public-use area. Fragments of nineteenth century and early twentieth century artifacts such as glass shards (see photo of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup bottle fragment from the mid- to late-1800s), ceramic sherds, bits of metal, and pieces of historic meals including shellfish and cut bones have been unearthed during this work (see photo of Old Town artifacts). The artifacts observed during monitoring also include Native American materials, such as Tizon brownware pottery fragments and a stone bowl fragment (see photo), attesting to the presence of Kumeyaay people in this area. The analysis of all of the collected artifacts is currently underway. It is hoped that these artifacts will provide some insight into the lives of early inhabitants of this part of Old Town.
