A radiocarbon chronology of hunter-gatherer occupation from Bodega Bay, California, USA

Abstract

We present a Holocene radiocarbon chronology of hunter-gatherer occupation based on contemporaneous samples of charcoal and Mytilus californianus shell recovered from 7 archaeological sites near Bodega Bay, California, USA. A series of 127 14C ages reveals a chronological sequence that spans from 8940-110 cal BP (1 σ). This sequence serves as a foundation for the interpretation of behavioral change along the northern California coast over the last 9000 yr, including the adaptive strategies used by human foragers to colonize and inhabit coastal areas of this region. These 14C ages will also permit us to explore major dimensions of temporal change in Holocene ocean conditions (via marine reservoir corrections) and their potential effect on the resources available to ancient hunter-gatherers. © 2005 by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona.