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1982;State of California Office of Historic Preservation, 1986, 1990). Other prehistoric archaeological sites have also been identified in the project vicinity. Ethnohistory Prehistoric Period. The Delta region of San Joaquin County is known as one of the most intensively-inhabited areas in North America, containing many prehistoric sites. These sites primarily consist of habitation mounds, the majority of which have been levelled for agriculture, ranching or housing purposes. Cultural deposits are commonly located along waterways, in areas with high enough elevation to protect them from seasonal inundations. Cultural similarities, as shown in these deposits, suggest that inhabitants of an early "Windmiller" culture existed in the study area. These people perhaps spoke a Utian language, and may have been the ancestors of the historic Miwok and Costanoan groups (Heizer, 1974; Moratto, 1984). The historic peoples of the Tracy Lakes vicinity were Plains Miwok (Bennyhoff, 1977) (Figure F3). J.A. Bennyhoff reports that the village of Seuamne existed at the project location (Bennyhoff, 1977). This village was one of three principal tribelet villages remaining on the Mokelumne River in the 1840s (Bennyhoff, 1977) (Figure F4). The Tracy Lakes village sites are of uncertain antiquity, probably supporting a population of several hundred Miwok at one time. Smaller secondary villages were usually associated with the principal villages. In addition, seasonal camps were located along nearby, intermittent drainages for hunting and gathering purposes. Ethnographic data of this population is sparse because of relocation and destruction,due to missionization,disease and western settlement in their area after historic contact. A plague of malaria, introduced by western trappers in 1833,is estimated to have killed as many as 75 percent of the Plains Miwok population(Maloney, 1945;Cook, 1955). Members of the Miwok community have expressed concern that this area may contain sites important to their traditional history and religion. Historic Period. Dr. J.A. Bennyhoff cites the arrival of Gaspar de Portola in 1769 as the commencement of the historic period. Spanish missionaries and military personnel frequented the San Joaquin Valley by the early 1810s, and responded to "troubles" on the lower Mokelumne River in 1819 with military operations (Cook, 1962). In 1832,French Canadian and English(Hudson's Bay) trappers of bear, mink and beaver occupied French Camp, south of Lodi. Brovelli Woods was within the Sanjon de los Moquelumnes Mexican land grant of more than 20,000 acres, before it became the McCauly Ranch in 1861. John F. McCauly, born in Virginia, raised mules for the U.S. Army on the land. He was a prominent figure in San Joaquin County at the time, and made considerable profit from leasing San Quentin Prison for five to six years. He used prisoners to build the levee, which is still in use on his property. John F. McCauly died in 1892, and his wife, Caroline (Wilson) McCauly, resumed management of the property. Her ranch was known to be a "profitable and model ranch in the County," and she was instrumental in promoting agriculture in San Joaquin County (Guinn, 1909). Caroline McCauly sponsored the construction of 10 miles of levee on the Mokelumne River, and also funded the construction of the Catholic church in the nearby town of Galt. They had two children, George Beauregard and Alice, who were raised primarily in Europe. George Beauregard inherited 7000 acres in San Joaquin County and 30,000 acres in Sacramento County. John and Caroline's granddaughter, also named Caroline McCauly, inherited over 5000 acres which were then known as Forest Lake. She married Angelo Brovelli in 1933,and later the site became known as Brovelli Woods. 7