Masters Thesis

To Dig or Not to Dig: Managing Buried Cultural Resources at Sonoma State Historic Park

Purpose: The goal of this thesis research is to perform a geophysical survey at Sonoma State Historic Park (SSHP), in order to locate potential buried resources. This survey takes into consideration local knowledge and existing cultural resources to determine the most likely locations for identification of potential buried resources. Any newly identified cultural resources were described and evaluated for their data potential. Management options and strategies are discussed pertaining to the newly identified resources. Possibilities for excavation or testing are evaluated with an emphasis on incorporation of some of the principles of community archaeology. Methods: A review of available literature, white papers, and established management plans aided in formulating a framework for development of this research. Drawing from local knowledge and existing cultural resources, ground penetrating radar survey grids were established in areas most likely to contain buried cultural resources. The survey was carried out using current survey practices to generate digital models of subsurface features. Using this data, management strategies were developed with an emphasis on resource protection, buried resource interpretation, and community archaeology. Findings: Geophysical data gathered for this thesis yielded several potential buried resources. These resources represent potentially important portions of SSHP and merit interpretation. Several options that are available to SSHP would allow the resources to remain protected including, optical perspective display and 3-dimensional computer modeling. In anticipation of further work being undertaken, suggestions for incorporating principles of community archaeology are discussed. Conclusions: This thesis identified that SSHP may contain significant buried cultural resources. These resources could provide SSHP with important new information and should be fully evaluated for their data potential. This research explored innovative interpretation methods for dealing with buried resources, SSHP has options for presenting these resources to the public without the need for full scale excavation. If excavation is undertaken, it presents a unique opportunity for SSHP to engage the local community in the direction of the research. This thesis aims to provide the initial stages of a framework for ways of addressing buried resources and through community archaeology develop, a direction for resource interpretation.

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