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The historical research reported here was undertaken in support of archaeological research undertaken relative to construction of the MX Missile test facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara Country, California. The resulting historical overview provides information important to the understanding of the archaeology of the study area, especially with regard to historic land use that may have affected archaeological sites, the nature of the natural environment in the early historic period, and the identification of the significance of post-aboriginal archaeological sites. Furtheremore, the overview provides a variety of information important to the development of a cultural resources management plan for northern Vandenberg Air Force Base. The focus of this study is a portion of northern Vandenbergy Air Force Base known as San Antonio Terrace. This landform is situated south of the Shuman Canyon Drainage and north of San Antonio Creek, alternately called Los Alamos Creek. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by an unnamed drainage located about two kilometers east of the easternmost point of the Lompoc-Casmalia Road. In order to offer historical breadth to the research, the study zone was extended to nearby regions. The history of the whole of the Jesus Maria Rancho is at the heart of the work, but there is also some mention of adjacent Mexican land grants and of local and state history., Appendix 2 to AD-A146 596. See also Appendix 1, AD-A146 597. Includes envelope with map.

This report presents the results of archaeological research undertaken in support of the construction of MX missile test facilities on northern Vandenberg Air Force base, Santa Barbara County, California. During 1980-1982, all lands potentially subjected to construction impacts (the project area) were surveyed, and test excavations took place at 24 sites in order to define their boundaries and assess their significance. At eight of these sites excavations were more intensive in order to collect additional information on site significance and to mitigate unavoidable impacts. In addition to presenting the results of the analyses of the different classes of items in the collections, the report includes interpretations of the place of the sites in regional subsistence-settlement systems. All sites investigated appear to have been used by the Purisimeno Chumash Indians and their prehistoric predecessors within the last 2,000 years as seasonal residential bases or short-term occupation sites. Hunting terrestrial game appears to have been the dominant activity undertaken in the project area, as reflected in the high proportions of chipped stone artifacts in the site collections. Although a two-part chronological sequence for the sites is not firmly grounded, there is evidence indicating that the earlier inhabitants of the project area were relatively more mobile in their settlement pattern than the later inhabitants., See also Appendix 1, AD-A146 597.

This report presents the results of archaeological research undertaken in support of the construction of MX missile test facilities on northern Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California. During 1980-1982, all lands potentially subjected to construction impacts (the project area) were surveyed, and test excavations took place at 24 sites in order to define their boundaries and assess their significance. At eight of these sites excavations were more intensive in order to collect additional information on site significance and to mitigate unavoidable impacts. In addition to presenting the results of the analyses of the different classes of items in the collections, the report includes interpretations of the place of the sites in regional subsistence-settlement systems. All sites investigated appear to have been used by the Purisimeno Chumash Indians and their prehistoric predecessors within the last 2,000 years as seasonal residential bases or short-term occupation sites. Hunting terrestrial game appears to have been the dominant activity undertaken in the project area, as reflected in the high proportions of chipped stone artifacts in the site collections. Although a two-part chronological sequence for the sites is not firmly grounded, there is evidence indicating that the earlier inhabitants of the project area were relatively more mobile in their settlement pattern than the later inhabitants., Appendix 1 to AD-A146 596. See also Appendix 2, AD-A146 598.