The Chumash Village of Saticoy: Salvage Archaeology

At the Museum | Farrand Auditorium

The Chumash village of Saticoy was located in what is now the eastern part of the City of San Buenaventura (or Ventura). Developed in 1916 for row crops by the Vanoni family, the old village was “rediscovered” in the 1930s upon installation of an irrigation and drainage system for walnut orchards. Some 300 metates and other artifacts were recovered at that time. During the 1950s, more artifacts were recovered when part of the ranch was made into residential housing. When more of the ranch was developed in the 1990s, a cemetery was identified. It has been preserved and is now owned by the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians.

In this free public lecture presented by the Santa Barbara County Archaeological Society, SBMNH Anthropology Department Associate Albert Knight will describe his work as archaeological field director at Saticoy in 2022, when 10 acres near the center of the site were developed for family-style housing for veterans. Although previous researchers had declared that the old village site had been destroyed, project monitors discovered that a large area of midden still existed, and thousands of mostly small lithic and faunal artifacts were recovered.

Knight has 50 years of professional experience in archaeological fieldwork and research in southern California. He has participated in numerous archaeological investigations as a crew member, crew chief, field director, and principal researcher. He has published several reports on the archaeology and history of south-central California. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Coast Archaeology Society, a member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Susana Mountains Park Association, and the archivist for the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association.

No tickets or reservations required, but it is recommended to arrive a little early to ensure a seat. For questions about the Santa Barbara County Archaeological Society or the upcoming meetings, please contact SBCAS President Glenn Russell, Ph.D., by email.

Photo of archaeological monitoring amid the development work at Saticoy in 2022 by Albert Knight