In the summer of 1991 an archaeological site was excavated on the shores of Owens Lake, in eastern California. The photographs below show some of the features found at the site and describe its significance for understanding the prehistory of Owens Valley. Though there was little on the surface, excavations revealed an intact village about a meter down, with a rich assemblage of artifacts and features. Field Crew at work .
Archaeologists dig holes with shovels and trowels looking for artifacts.
Those yellow items in the foreground are screens lying atop backdirt piles. Excavation in progress . In order to uncover the rest of the floor, several adjacent units were opened up as well. Owens Lake is on the left, to the east. Prehsitoric house floor .