August 4, 2024 – Yosemite National Park officials ask... Have you ever hiked in Yosemite and stumbled upon a remnant of human history? So far, only 12% of the park's nearly 1,200 square miles have been surveyed, leaving many stories yet to be uncovered.
In Yosemite, there are around 2,500 documented archeological sites, including ancient milling features and old homesteads, that date as far back as 10,000 years and as recent as 50 years old. Archeologists like Alex Kuzmin and Isobel Coats have a key role in protecting these sites and analyzing their historical significance. In the field, they survey landscapes to identify and document human impacts, ensuring that sites are protected during park projects. They also methodically excavate buried materials, study artifacts, and conduct research to map trade routes.
Archeologists systematically survey for artifacts, features, ecofacts, sites, districts, and landscapes. In Yosemite, the most abundant artifact from the precontact period is obsidian, which provides valuable insights into the deep cultural history of the area. Obsidian is a type of volcanic glass formed from rapidly cooled lava. Obsidian found in the park likely originates from sources on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, representing the extensive trade networks used by Indigenous people throughout this region. Obsidian can be sharpened to a fine edge, making it a great material for crafting sharp and durable tools, including projectile points for hunting, blades for cutting, scrapers for processing hides, and awls for piercing.
Diagnostic projectile points provide valuable information to archeologists about source material, artifact age, cultural links, and technological development. Analyzing these tools reveals trade routes, cultural affiliations, and changes in toolmaking over time. Context is key in archeology, and if artifacts are removed from their original location, this context is lost. If you are fortunate enough to make an archeological discovery in Yosemite, you can help preserve our shared heritage by leaving artifacts where you find them.
If you have more questions about archeology in the park? Visit: nps.gov/yose/learn/historyculture/archeology.htm.
Source & photo credits: NPS
