A Possible Canoeman’s Cache Feature from CA-SNI-240 on San Nicolas Island, Alta California

AbstractAn unusual feature was discovered during recent test excavations at CA-SNI-240 on San Nicolas Island, California. The feature was layered with the upper layer containing an inverted black abalone shell with an asphaltum cake overlying several artifacts and ecofacts, including a fishhook fragment, a punched Tegula shell, and several right femurs of Brandt’s cormorant. Directly beneath this was a second smaller black abalone covering additional artifacts and ecofacts, including net weights, a polished steatite cobble, a fossil moon shell, and several left metacarpals and a left femur of California sea lion. CA-SNI-240 is located approximately 60 m across the road from the ceremonial complex at CA-SNI-25. A radiocarbon date places both sites within the same period of occupation. This find provides the basis for comparisons and additional insights regarding ritual behavior on the California Channel Islands.