Dig offers insight into Native American History of California. California's industrial revolution has its roots in a small grist mill built by an ex-pirate on a 40-acre farm at the San Gabriel Mission, archaeologists said. Archaeologists working with the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority have a chance to uncover more information about the story of Chapman's Mill and other important mission and Native American artifacts buried just across the street from today's mission building. The dig began in December and will continue through mid-March, officials said. Artifacts found so far include a brass religious medallion, a Spanish coin from 1816, tiles, pottery, beads and animal bones. "This is an unprecedented opportunity for us to delve into the history of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Valley as a whole," said John Dietler, the lead archaeologist.
"Right beneath us are the very roots of Los Angeles. " The mill was finished in 1823 and was built by Boston native Joseph Chapman. "We've found some unexpected finds," Dietler said. Archaeology of the California Missions. Archaeology | This Old Mission: Conservation Program. The Alta California Mission Research Project of the CSU Monterey Bay Institute for Archaeology constitutes that dimension of research and teaching and learning devoted to the archaeology and ethnohistory of the early California missions and presidios of the Monterey Bay. Currently, project initiatives have been devoted to the archaeological and historical study of the Old Mission so as to interpret the architectural and social histories of the site, while at the same time providing a critically needed resource base for assessing the historic preservation needs of the Old Mission and community of San Juan Bautista.
Student projects and project-based learning experiences currently center on the development of interpretive resources for the historic preservation and archaeological salvage of the Old Mission of San Juan Bautista. The project-based learning labs launched under the direction of Principal Investigator and Project Archaeology Dr. Ruben G. Orange County Historical Society - Orange County, California. San Diego History Center | Our City, Our Story. The Bancroft Library. Home - The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens. Online Archive of California. California Mission Studies Association.