HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 99-13; Steiner Property; Tentative Map (CT) (18)-UU
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May 17, 1999
Ms. Sondra Harris
Development and Forward Planning
Western Pacific Housing
2385 Camino Vida Roble, Suite 107
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Reference: Steiner Property Archaeological Survey (RECON Number 3163A)
4241 Jutland Drive, Suite 201
San Diego, CA 92117-3653
619/270-5066
fax 270-5414
Dear Ms. Harris:
This letter presents the preliminary results of a cultural resource constraint survey for the Steiner
property in the city of Carlsbad, California (Figures 1 and 2). This investigation was undertaken in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Cultural Resource
Guidelines (CRG) of the City of Carlsbad. The field portion of this investigation was conducted on
April 8, 1999 by RECON staff archaeologists Russell O. Collett and John L R Whitehouse under the
direction of Dayle M. Cheever. Ms. Cheever is certified by the Register of Professional Archaeolo-
gists (ROPA) in field archaeology and teaching. The investigation includes both field and archival
research. Archival information has been requested from the South Coastal Information Center
(SCIC) and the San Diego Museum of Man (SDMM). Additional research is being undertaken to
review historic maps and photographs of the project area. The results of the archival review were not
available at the time of the field survey and will be included in the final version of a report.
A portion of previously recorded site CA-SDI-8195 was found on the Steiner property. This portion
of the site must be evaluated for significance per criteria of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and the Cultural Resource Guidelines of the City of Carlsbad (CRG) before mitigation
measures can be developed.
The field inspection consisted of a pedestrian survey of the 2.88-acre project property. As indicated
in documents provided by your office, the Steiner property abuts the Desaska property at the western
and southern margins. The project area was accessed from the east, off El Camino Real.
The central ridge and adjacent slopes are composed of well-developed soils, mostly Huerhuero loam
and loamy alluvial land-Huerhuero complex. These soils are principally derived from underlying
Pleistocene sandstone and conglomerate beds (Lusardi Formation) or from the Eocene sandstone and
siltstone beds (Torrey and Delmar Formations). These are sandy marine sediments with clay subsoil
(U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] 1973). These sediments are classified as subsets of the
Santiago Formation, which is known to be paleontologically sensitive, containing vertebrate and
invertebrate fossils in some locations. The basement Santiago Peak Volcanics are metamorphic
rocks of Jurassic age.
A search of site records at the SCIC and SDMM is pending. Information on file for an adjacent
property provided some background information of value in directing the pedestrian survey. There
are a number of archaeological sites recorded within one mile of the subject property, according to
site records on file at RECON. One of these sites (CA-SDI-8195) is recorded on the Steiner
property.
The recorded history of this site is complex as the site was recorded at two institutions with different
numbering systems. Complicating this is the presence of several discrete concentrations of cultural
debris within the larger, original site boundary, which covers the project property. The site will be
identified by SCIC designation as CA-SDI-8195. This number reflects the largest footprint of the
resource, and encompasses subsequent discoveries.
PROJECT LOCATION
101
Map Source: U.S.G.S. 7.5 Minute topographic maps,
Encinitas and San Luis Rey quadrangles FIGURE 2
Project Location
2 MILES 0
OCEANSIDE
AGUA HEDIONDA
LAGOONCARLSBAD
MARCOSi
f.f LAKE SAN MARCO
PROJECT LOCATION
LEUCADIA
ENCINITAS
SOLANA
BEACH
FIGURE 1
Regional Location of the Project
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Ms. Sondra Harris
Page 2
May 17,1999
Malcolm Rogers originally recorded CA-SDI-8195 perhaps as early as the 1920s. The earliest date
indicated on the site record is 1976, although this represents the time that Rogers' notes were
compiled as site record forms and not the actual date of discovery. Rogers described the site as a
"highland accretion midden" (site record for SDM-W-108) resting on gray and red sandstone.
Additionally, the record indicates that the site was covered with chaparral and had been visited by
relic hunters. Inhumations and hearths were reported for the site, as well as stone tools, stone tool
manufacturing debris, and ceramic sherds. These items indicated to Rogers, San Dieguito, La Jollan,
and Yuman periods of occupation. The overall impression from the site record is that the stone
artifact representation was low compared with the large area mapped.
In summary, CA-SDI-8195 is an encampment occupied in Early Archaic times based on the presence
of certain stone tools. It was visited more often during the Middle Archaic as indicated by a devel-
oped midden of marine shell and the presence of ground stone milling implements. It was also visited
during the Late Period as indicated by the presence of ceramics, which are an indication of Native
American activity dating after circa 2000 B.P.
Previous investigations of portions of CA-SDI-8195 have demonstrated that the cultural material is
inconsistently distributed over the landscape and that the site has been impacted by agricultural
activity and residential development occurring over the past few decades. The contents of the site
loci vary and reflect the different activities that took place during specific periods. In other words,
where Rogers saw a ridge occupied over a broad span of time, later investigators recognized discrete
activity areas with refuse profiles indicative of culture change. The Steiner property is situated at the
northern end of the site slightly south of the recorded limit.
The project property supports a private residence and associated yardscape and an access drive. The
remaining portion has been cleared of native vegetation for cultivation of ornamental eucalyptus.
This has resulted in some changes to the soil as well as the introduction of ruderal grasses, which
cover most of the western area of the property. Agricultural activity has altered the natural profile of
the soil with soil amendments, trash, and broken pieces of the underlying sandstone substrate.
Within CA-SDI-8195 the naturally developed and bioturbated midden is mixed. Currently, there are
two principal soil types present in the project area. The upper stratum is a loose and friable, poorly
sorted sandy loam with pebble-sized stones. The underlying stratum is consolidated sandstone with
occasional weathered areas. The eastern end of the property is also cultivated for ornamental
eucalyptus but does not support the dense growth of ruderal grasses observed to the west. Areas of
driveway and the residential yard were highly disturbed and were not closely inspected for cultural
materials due to the level of disturbance. All of the areas outside the yard were carefully inspected
for indications of cultural activity.
An area of prehistoric cultural activity was identified during the pedestrian survey of the subject
property; a deposit of marine shell, south of the Steiner residence. The deposit is part of CA-SDI-
8195. The identified materials include Chione and Pecten shellfish. No artifacts were identified
within the scatter of shell. The margins of the scatter were distinct and visible even through the grass
cover.
The portion of CA-SDI-8195 on the project parcel requires evaluation under CEQA and Carlsbad's
CRG. The shell scatter on the Steiner property should be evaluated to determine its research value
within the larger range of activities undertaken on-site over time. While the scatter is within the
recorded footprint of CA-SDI-8195 it consists of a concentration of material that appears different
from the surrounding area.
Ms. Sondra Harris
Page 3
May 17, 1999
A draft scope of work to accomplish the significance evaluation effort under the CRG is being
compiled. The scope of work will include a breakdown of additional field investigation time to
conduct excavation and recording efforts, research, writing, and analysis time, as well as expense
estimates for submitting samples for radiocarbon dates and placing the collection into an appropriate
curatorial facility. The results of the evaluation investigation will be included in a summary
document in accordance with Carlsbad's CRG.
If you have questions regarding the preliminary results of this investigation or the recommendations
indicated herein, please contact Dayle Cheever or me at RECON.
Sino
Russell O. Collett
Project Archaeologist
ROC:sh