Living Room Lecture: California's Northern Channel Islands
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California’s Northern Channel Islands, sometimes called the "American Galápagos," are often celebrated as a trip back in time where tourists can view glimpses of California prior to modern development. The islands are sometimes portrayed as frozen moments in history where ecosystems developed in virtual isolation for tens of thousands of years. For at least 13,000 years, however, the Chumash and their ancestors occupied the islands, leaving behind one of the longest and best preserved archaeological records in the Americas.
From ephemeral hunting and gathering camps to densely populated coastal villages and Euro-American and Chinese historical sites, archaeologists have studied Channel Island environments and material culture records for over 100 years, piecing together a fascinating story of initial settlement by mobile hunter-gatherers to the development of one of the world’s most complex hunter-gatherer societies.
For more than 10,000 years, the Chumash survived dramatic changes to their land- and seascapes, climatic fluctuations, and ever-evolving social and cultural developments. Today, the lessons of Channel Islands history can act as a guide for building sustainable strategies.
The resilience of the Chumash and Channel Island ecosystems provides a compelling story of hope for a world increasingly threatened by climate change, rising seas, declining biodiversity, and geopolitical instability.
This event will be held on Zoom.
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San Diego Archaeological Center
(Photo by John Koster - For the North County Times) The San Diego Archaeological Center Provides: Curation of archaeological collections, educational programs, public exhibits, quarterly newsletter, public lecture series, curation volunteer training, student internships, research opportunities and cultural renewal. The San Diego Archaeological Center is a museum where visitors can learn the story of how people have lived in San Diego County for the past 10,000 years. In addition to its role as a museum, the Center serves as an education and research facility and is the only local organization dedicated to the collection, study, curation and exhibition of San Diego County's archaeological artifacts. The San Diego Archaeological Center is a nationally recognized leader in the curation of archaeological collections, curating collections for the Department of Defense, City of San Diego and private parties. The Center accepts for accession archaeological collections to preserve in perpetuity for the benefit of the public. The Center museum is open to the public, with a suggested donation of $2 per person or $5 per family.