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4 Environmental Analysis
<br /> 4.5 Cultural Resources
<br /> present. Archaeobotanical remains found at this site suggest a diet of acorns and wild cucumbers
<br /> (Wohlgemuth 1997).
<br /> Middle Archaic Period (7500-2500 Cal B.P.)
<br /> The Middle Archaic climate was characterized by warmer and drier conditions facilitating the
<br /> reduction or complete desiccation of Central Valley lakes. Thus, with sea level rising, new wetland
<br /> habitats were developed and led to the formation of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta
<br /> (Atwater and Belknap 1980; Goman and Wells 2000). This period is categorized by projectile
<br /> points, such as notched, stemmed, thick-leaf, and narrow concave base darts, groundstone,
<br /> pottery, twined basketry, basketry awls, and polished stone plummets (Rosenthal et al. 2007). At
<br /> this time, the classic Windmiller Pattern burial mounds occur. This pattern represents riverine
<br /> adaptations that were permanent, year-round habitation sites (Rosenthal et al. 2007).
<br /> Paleobotanical studies of the Windmiller Pattern indicate early use of acorns and pine nuts.
<br /> Faunal remains include large game animals (elk, deer, pronghorn), leporids, waterfowl, small and
<br /> large fish, and small rodents. The fauna represented indicates the use of marshes, grasslands,
<br /> and riverine forests.
<br /> A component of the Tranquillity site (CA-FRE-48), located near the Fresno Slough (approximately
<br /> 56 miles north of the Project), radiocarbon dates to this time period. CA-FRE-48 consists of
<br /> several burials, faunal remains (e.g., Tule Elk, antelope, fox, rabbits [Leporidae]), obsidian and
<br /> chert lithic tools (e.g., stemmed and notched projectile points), and ground stone (e.g., manos,
<br /> metates, mortars, and pestles) (Hewes 1946; Moratto 2004).
<br /> Upper Archaic Period (2500 Cal B.P.—Cal A.D. 1000)
<br /> During the early portion of this period the environment was cooler and wetter. Populations were
<br /> characterized by geographically complex sociopolitical organizations as evident from
<br /> archaeological burial data (e.g., contrasting burial postures), artifact styles, and other items of
<br /> material culture (Rosenthal et al. 2007:156). Specialized technologies appeared during the Upper
<br /> Archaic Period, such as bone tools and implements and the production of saucer and saddle-
<br /> shaped shell beads (Olivella) and ornaments (Haliotis), coiled basketry, and ceremonial obsidian
<br /> blades. Large amounts of obsidian were obtained from the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, and
<br /> lanceolate-shaped bifaces were widely traded (Rosenthal et al. 2007:157). This period was also
<br /> marked by mortar and pestle use and an increase in plant procurement, specifically acorns
<br /> (Wohlgemuth 1996; Rosenthal et al. 2007; Rosenthal and Wohlgemuth 2011). Artifact
<br /> assemblages from the period includes temporally diagnostic forms of beads (Olivella) and
<br /> ornaments (Haliotis), charm stones (often found cached), cobble mortars, chisel-ended pestles,
<br /> and dart points. Other diagnostic artifacts include a wide array of bone tools, such as awls, fish
<br /> spears, saws, and flake tools.
<br /> During the transition from the Upper Archaic Period to the Emergent Period, the Central Valley
<br /> experienced drier conditions resulting in resource depression of valley and lowland resources.
<br /> Native groups abandoned the valley floor and relocated to upland resource areas (Moratto 2004).
<br /> As the climate improved, people expanded downslope again to the valley floor.
<br /> Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.5-4 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675
<br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023
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