Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
by Elko series, Martis series, and Sierra stemmed triangular projectile points. During
Phase 2 (2,000 to 1,500 BP), smaller stemmed and triangular points were more common
with an increased use of chert and obsidian toolstone. Additionally, Phase 2 was
characterized by the introduction of bedrock mortars and a decrease in the use of manos
and metates.
In 1977, Elston and others suggested additional refinement of the Martis Complex
into three phases (Elston et al., 1977, as cited by PCWA, 2010d). Early Martis (4,000 to
3,500 BP) was characterized by contracting stem Elko and Martis series projectile points.
Middle Martis (3,500 to 2,500 BP) was represented by Steamboat points and Late Martis
(2,500 to 1,500 BP) was characterized by notched and eared Martis and Elk series points.
Later research however, again suggested two phases: Early Martis (5,000 to 3,000 BP)
and Late Martis (3,000 to 1,500 BP).
A more recent chronology for the western Sierra Nevada was proposed by Jackson
and Ballard (1999, as cited by PCWA, 2010d). These researchers identified three periods
dating from 3,200 BP to 250 BP. The Early Sierran Period is characterized in the western
Sierra by dart points and the introduction of the bow and arrow, millingslabs and
handstones, a decrease in obsidian production, and the onset of an acorn-based economy
at about 2,000 BP. The Middle Sierran Period (1,400 to 600 BP) saw the widespread use
of the bow and arrow in both California and the Great Basin and small Gunther Series
projectile points. Technological toolkits for acorn processing included both boulder and
bedrock mortars, millingslabs, and handstones used as pestles. The Late Sierran Period
(1,000 to 250 BP) was characterized by an intensive specialized use of the western Sierra
Nevada. While the acorn-based economy was still strong, there was a diminished focus
on seeds, hunting of large and small fauna, seasonal use of middle and higher elevation
resources, and year-round occupation of lower elevation sites. During this time, Gunther
Series projectile points were generally abandoned, and Desert Series points were
introduced.
The project area is located within the ethnographic territories of the Hill Nisenan
(or Southern Maidu) and the Washoe. At the time of European-American contact, the
Nisenan occupied the drainages of the Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers and the lower
reaches of the Feather River, from the Sacramento River east to middle and high
elevations of the Sierra Nevada. The Washoe inhabited the area east of the crest of the
Sierra Nevada to Carson Valley, and from the Walker River north to Honey Lake
(PCWA, 2011) but traveled to the western Sierras to gather resources.
Nisenan tribelets were governed by a chief or headman with political control over
villages within the tribelet. Foothill and mountain tribelets had up to 300 people and each
had its own specific land boundaries. Villages were generally located below 2,500 feet in
elevation but close to a water source. Families stayed in the villages during the winter
months, but smaller groups traveled to higher elevation base camps to hunt and gather in
the warmer seasons. The Nisenan practiced communal hunting drives for large game,
and exploited salmon runs through the use of snares, traps, and nets. Acorns were stored
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