To avoid repetition of description, only those types or groups of specimens not covered in the earlier report will be fully discussed here. Such categories as have already been isolated and defined will be treated in summary fashion. For complete descriptive data, the 1947 account of the Topanga Culture should be consulted. The total tabulations of the major groups of artifacts derived from both season’s excavations will be presented in this paper.

The artifacts from LAn-2 constitute a problem of their own and will be described in a later section of this paper covering the excavation of that site.

FLAKED TOOLS

With few exceptions, the additional flaked tools represent roughly the same sample as already revealed. Concave scrapers, thumbnail scrapers, a crescentic stone, and new projectile point types make up the adjunct to the typology. The frequencies for most of the groups of flaked tools are reasonably higher than was heretofore indicated. This is probably the result of the more extensive excavations carried out in the areas of greatest artifact concentration.

Figure 1. Location of Features and Burials

Scraper Planes

Numerically, scraper planes as an entire class constitute the largest single stylized group of artifacts from the Tank Site. Some forms display a marked perfection in flaking technique, and are comparable to illustrated specimens from the San Dieguito industry (M. J. Rogers, 1929; 1939, pl. 8, i-j) on the southern California coast and in the Lake Mohave Culture (Campbell et al., pls. XXVI, XXVII) in the eastern desert. The majority, however, exhibit only generalized characteristics with considerable latitude in external form suggesting that their manufacture required little precision on the part of the maker, and probably, also, they served essentially as an all-purpose tool. The nature of the wear on much-used specimens indicated hard usage, such as would result from repeated contact on an unyielding surface.

Figure 2 illustrates “ideal” scraper-plane types and the following description is a brief summary of the recognized forms. (For photographs, see Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pls. 17-19.)

Type IA

Round to oval in outline, flat base chipped about the entire perimeter. Top surface flaked to a near symmetrical dome shape.

Type IB

Like IA, except that the upper surface rises to a peak or ridge somewhat off-center.

Type IC

Like IA, but higher and with more latitude in form. Flakes are struck from the perimeter at a steep angle so that on most specimens height exceeds diameter.

Type IIA

Form is variable, but tends toward subrectangular. About three-quarters of the basal margin evidences flaking, the remaining portion consists of an unretouched straight edge caused by the removal of a large primary flake.

Type IIB

Like IIA, except that the worked edges display a marked degree of secondary flaking or resharpening, to the point where sections of the steepened sides are notably undercut.

Type III

Distinct from other forms in that they are shaped from angular rocks on which two separate working faces have been developed. In other respects the specimens in this category fall essentially into the IIA class.

Table 2

Frequency of Scraper Planes by Depth

Scrapers.

Side scrapers (fig. 3, d-e).—Ovoid to angular, with convex working edges. Frequently with scalloped working edges.

Straight-edge scrapers or knives (fig. 3, f).—Irregular forms with a single straight, monofacial retouched margin along one side.

Ovoid or discoidal scrapers (fig. 3, a).—Made from large flat flakes, often showing a percussion bulb on one surface, and worked to a near-symmetrical form. Chipping may extend over the whole of one or both faces.

End scrapers (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pl. 20, k-l).—Subrectangular in outline with one of the narrow ends flaked back to a low angle.

Snub-nosed scrapers (ibid., pl. 20, f-g).—Like end scrapers with the exception that the flakes have been removed from the retouched end at a much steeper angle, producing a blunter but stronger working edge.

Cobble scrapers (ibid., pl. 20, c).—Made from a split cobble showing wear along the sharp curved margin. Only slight retouching.

Flake scrapers or knives (fig. 3, g).—Thin flakes monofacially flaked along portions of their peripheries.

Concave scrapers (fig. 3, c).—These are neither common nor are they clearly stylized. They total only nine, all acquired during the second season. Though none are alike, they characteristically display a shallow localized concavity along one edge. In some instances the margin of the concavity shows signs of notable abrasion. Small chips have been sprung from the base of the concavity probably through use. Sizes range from 6 to 10 cm. in diameter with the depressions varying from .5 to 2 cm. Seven specimens were of basalt and one each of chert and porphyry.

Figure 2. Scraper Plane Types

Figure 3. Scraper Types

One specimen appears to have served a dual function as a tool. A portion of one edge is concave and the remainder convex, as on a typical side scraper. Both working margins display considerable wear.

Examples illustrated by Rogers (1939, pl. 8, h, k) for the desert Playa industry differ in that they are consistently subrectangular, elongated, and have a broader concave scraping edge along each of two sides.

Thumbnail scrapers (fig. 3, b).—Only a single specimen falls in this category. It is roughly circular in outline, thin, lenticular in cross section, and flaked on both surfaces. The example made of a dark-brown chert is 2 cm. in diameter and 4 mm. thick. The lone occurrence of this type of tool would seem to indicate a lack of emphasis on light delicate work. Implements of this nature are usually best associated with cultures of later origin.

Choppers

Unifaced choppers or heavy duty scrapers.—These are produced from large cores of basalt or from a split cobble and exhibit flaking only on one face. (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pl. 20, d-e).

Bifaced choppers.—These are large cores bifacially flaked along an edge to effect a sharp, sinuous margin that may extend around the entire periphery or only a portion of it (ibid., pl. 20, a-b).

Crescentic Stone or “Amulet”

This class is represented by but a half of a single specimen obtained during the second season (pl. 21, m). Though this specimen varies somewhat from illustrated examples there seems to be little doubt as to its general classification. The function of these implements remains open to question, and varient forms appear to have considerable latitude in time and areal distribution in western United States. Similar forms may be noted for the Lake Mohave Culture and the San Dieguito-Playa industry (Campbell et al., 1937. pl. XXXVIII, a-c; M. J. Rogers, 1939, pl. 8, a-c).

Drill or Reamer

(Pl. 23, d-e)

Two very similar pieces make up the addition to this class. Both are elongated, tapering sections of rose quartzite on which the margins have been retouched and the tip of each is notably abraded. The large ends show no evidence of preparation for hafting, so presumably they were used as a hand reamer or drill. The lengths are 6 cm. and 10 cm.

Hand Pick

The two new specimens, roughly triangular in outline, resemble the single piece recovered in 1947. On both, the working end tapers to a heavy, well-formed point, whereas the opposite end is bulbous and fits comfortably into the palm of the hand. Lengths are 9.8 cm. and 13 cm., respectively, with basalt and quartzite as materials.

Projectile Points

Since projectile points as a general class have proved to be the best criteria for establishing the stratigraphic differences whereby Topanga Phase I and Phase II may be distinguished, and because projectile points, to some measure, provide useful comparative data, it seems advisable to illustrate all the complete and near-complete specimens collected during both seasons.

With additional information some modification has been made over last seasons presentation. Here are included two groups of projectile points, each of which is associated with a definite phase of the Topanga Culture. Phase I is characterized by large blades and large points, most of which are composed of a highly patinated basalt and have been manufactured through the percussion or rough pressure-flaking technique (pl. 21, a-l). Phase II is characterized by small projectile points of the “dart” class which in material range through slightly patinated basalt, glassy basalt, obsidian, chalcedony, and chert. All have been finished in a rough to medium pressure technique (pl. 22, c-u). Totally absent in either phase is the light, thin, finely pressure-flaked “arrow point” of the historic or protohistoric periods.

Table 3

Frequency of Flaked Artifacts by Depth

In addition to the physical and technological differences between the projectile points of Phase I and Phase II there remains important stratigraphic differences that are clearly shown in table 4. The large blades and points of Phase I are primarily confined to the lower levels of the site with the deepest occurrence at the 54-to-60-inch level and a maximum occurrence in the 12-to-18-inch level. Almost a complete reversal of this may be observed in the distribution of Phase II points. Here the maximum occurrence is in the 0-to-6-inch level and none occurred below the 18-to-24-inch level. That some degree of overlap is present can be expected, assuming our interpretation of the erosional history of the Tank Site is correct (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, p. 131). In any stratified site, unless the cultural levels are separated by a sterile layer of some thickness some degree of cultural mixing may be anticipated. Previously unknown to us was the fact that Mr. Trujillo had plowed the site in earlier days and this, plus rodent activities, could have brought about considerable mixing in the upper 12 inches of the deposit. Though less digging was done in the Phase II site LAn-2, it is significant to note that only the small pressure-flaked projectile points were present. In form and material they resemble in near exactness the material from the 0-to-12-inch level of the Tank Site (pl. 23, f-m).

Two specimens, a large blade and large point (pl. 22, a, b), have tentatively been assigned to Phase II though there may be some doubt as to their cultural provenience. The blade, composed of a dark-brown chert, shows considerable pressure-flaking skill as evidenced by the serrations along both margins. The large point composed of obsidian lacks refinement in flaking but shows little or no evidence of surface alteration (patination). Also, both these types are of not uncommon occurrence in the coastal shell middens that can be assigned to periods of less antiquity than the Tank Site.

Assigned to Phase I are three heavy points which, because of their nature, stand in contrast to the typical patinated basalt specimens; yet their association in the site deposit is such that they must be considered along with other projectile points as belonging to the Phase I period. Plate 21, l, illustrates a dark-brown chert blade with a concave base which was flaked either by controlled percussion or a rough-pressure technique. This specimen was found in direct association with an extended burial of the Phase I type (Treganza and Malamud, 1950, pl. 15, f; pl. 21, i), and hence has been assigned to this period. Though its presence appears out of character with the heavy basalt examples, this association is not necessarily unique, for almost an identical example may be noted for the Lake Mohave Culture (Campbell et al., 1937, pl. XLIV, e; pl. XLV, d). A second specimen composed of a white chert and having a broad angular stem base finds no other parallels in the Topanga area (pl. 21, k), yet it too occurs in the Lake Mohave area where such forms are classed as a Silver Lake type (ibid., pl. XLII, d). The third specimen is composed of a thin piece of laminated chert, leaf-shaped in form, and displays only slight marginal flaking in its original shaping. This example was recovered at a depth of 60 inches and marks the greatest depth of any projectile point recovered from the Tank Site.

Figure 4. Projectile Points

Table 4

Projectile Points

Small “Dart” Points

Side-notched points (pl. 22, c, d, e).—A single example differs in some degree with specimens recovered last season. It is smaller, having a length of 3 cm. and with a slightly concave base. Though this is a surface specimen composed of obsidian, the surface has been so highly patinated that it bears little resemblance to its parent material (pl. 22, d).

Contracting-stem points (pl. 22, f, g, j, k).—This type has some latitude in respect to the shape of the stem and some refinement probably could be made. Some specimens have well-defined shoulders and are with stems which contract to a sharp point (pl. 22, g, k), being reminiscent of points associated with the Hunting and Canalino cultures of the Santa Barbara coast. In other instances shoulders are less well-defined, or the stems terminate in more rounded bases. The lengths range from 2.7 cm. to 4.2 cm. The materials include basalt, chert, chalcedony, and obsidian.

Lozenge points (pl. 22, h, i, l-u).—Numerically this group constitutes the largest class of the small projectile points. Were a larger series present, some refinement of types might be attempted. Of the fourteen specimens, some tend toward diamond shapes, whereas others border small leaf or stem forms. Lengths range from 2.5 cm. to 4.1 cm. Materials used are obsidian, basalt, chert, and quartz.

Large Blades and Large Points

The large blades and points collected this season show some variation over those of last year, both in finishing technique, form, and material. Frequently, for lack of established terminology, it is difficult to distinguish between what might be termed a chipped knife, leaf-shaped blade, or a coarsely made projectile point. We attempt only a rough breakdown between blades and large points, either of which if hafted could serve the purpose of a knife. All specimens are illustrated and may be judged by the observer.

Described below are only those additional specimens collected this year. For full details the 1950 report should be consulted.

Large blades (pl. 21, a-g).—

Large points (pl. 21, h-l; pl. 22, b).—

1. This specimen, like the blade above, also deviates to some degree from other large points. It is composed of an unaltered obsidian and comes from the 0-to-6-inch level of the deposit. Because of its shallow depth and contrastive nature, it has been assigned to Phase II. The form is leaf-shaped, being more pointed at one end. Length, 7 cm.; width, 3 cm.; and 1.3 cm. thick (pl. 22, b).

2. Specimen made from a thin piece of banded, laminated chert. Shaping was done merely by marginal flaking, as the original surface shows no working. Coming from a depth of 60 inches, this marks the greatest depth of any large point. Length, 5.4 cm.; width, 2.8 cm.; and 5 cm. thick (pl. 21, j).

3. Basal fragment of a large blade. This broad, angular base is a unique occurrence for the Tank Site, though some parallels may be noted in Lake Mohave specimens. This single piece possesses sharp, angular shoulders that terminate in a broad, flat, angular base. The material is a white chert (pl. 21, k).