The Four Crowns of the Sea: Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Coronados Islands, Baja California, México

Abstract

In spite of their potential significance to early human migrants and maritime foragers, small islands often are overlooked in archaeological research projects in favor of mainland coastal and large island counterparts. One excellent example of this is found off the northwestern coast of Baja California, México. Despite the wealth of data from islands to the north and south, the Coronados Islands, a group of four small islands clearly visible and only a short boat ride from the mainland, have seen little scientific archaeological investigation. As part of a collaborative bi-national research project, the first systematic archaeological reconnaissance of the Coronados Islands was completed in October 2016, resulting in the identification of 30 archaeological sites, the collection of diagnostic surface artifacts, and the radiocarbon dating of two prehistoric sites. We detail our efforts to build an island settlement chronology and occupational history and lay the foundation for future archaeological and historical ecological studies of the island group.

Keywords:

• radiocarbon dating
• historical ecology
• island colonization
• archaeological survey

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to three anonymous reviewers for their helpful feedback and editor Scott Fitzpatrick, the JICA production team, all of our colleagues at Centro INAH, and our home institutions for their support of our ongoing research on the Coronados Islands.