United States

Daisy Cave

Paleocoastal rockshelter on San Miguel Island, California

Location

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Historical Context

About

Daisy Cave, also known as CA-SMI-261, is an archeological site located on San Miguel Island in California. San Miguel Island is the westernmost island in the Channel Islands. The island sits between the Santa Barbara Channel and the Pacific Ocean and is often notably battered by winds all year round, but the Daisy Cave itself provides solace from the weather and has served as an effective shelter time and time again. The cave appears to have multiple archaeological deposits, in which artifacts ranging from the "terminal Pleistocene to the present." San Miguel was once part of a larger 'Superisland,' connected with Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa to make up Santarosae. Santarosae existed as the 'superisland' until as recent as 10,000 years ago, with some estimation.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Fish bone assemblage dating

c. 11,500–8,500 cal B.P.

Early excavations

early 1900s

Rozaire scientific excavation

1967

Mapping and further planning

1989

Santarosae separation estimate

c. 10,000 years ago

Guthrie–Morris–Snethkamp excavation

1985

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Graves
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified CavesSoil Layers
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

United States

Coordinates

34.04° N, -120.32° E