Officials Halt Excavation at Possible Chumash Site : Remains: Deputy coroner says tooth, bone fragments found near Camarillo may be of human origin. Archeological work began after road builders made discovery.

By J.E. MITCHELL

Jan. 4, 1994 12 AM PT

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Ventura County coroner’s officials have told archeologists to cease excavation of a site near Camarillo that may contain an ancient Chumash burial ground after investigators determined that a tooth and other bone fragments found there may be of human origin.

The stop-work order was issued Sunday after Deputy Coroner Craig Stevens examined the tooth and other bone fragments discovered at the site last month.

“We confirmed the possibility that what was found there may be a human tooth, bone fragments. They were inside what looked to be some sort of cremation urn,” Stevens said. “After examining the site, we believe that there was enough evidence to issue the cease-work order.”

The archeological work began after county road builders uncovered the possible Chumash site on Dec. 22, near where Santa Rosa Road is being widened. When Stevens determined that the site may contain human remains, he called the California Native American Heritage Commission in Sacramento and informed officials there of the discovery.

Commission officials said that in accordance with state law, they called county public works officials and gave them the name of a woman deemed likely to be a descendant of the deceased person.

Commission officials declined to release the woman’s name.

“In this case, it is her role to examine the site and make recommendations regarding the treatment and disposition of the remains,” Commission Executive Secretary Larry Myers said. “Even one burial makes the site significant. If it is determined that the remains be moved, it must be done in a respectful and dignified manner.”

But W. Butch Britt, the county’s deputy public works director, said that aside from the tooth and bone fragments, no other hard evidence of human remains has been discovered at the site.

Britt said he expects the Santa Rosa Road improvement project to continue after the tooth and other fragments are carefully reburied nearby according to tribal customs. A prior study found no evidence of human remains, he said.

“In 1991 a study turned up some 2,800 fragments from 17 different animal species. However, no hard evidence of human remains was found there,” Britt said. “Once we comply with the most likely descendant’s wishes, I’m hopeful that we can move ahead with the project.”

However, archeologists and tribal observers from the Thousand Oaks-based California Indian Council/Chumash organization vowed to stop--physically if necessary--further grading of the site unless an in-depth study is conducted.

“We are prepared to step in front of the earthmoving equipment in order to stop work there,” said council spokesman Reggie Pagaling. “We are also prepared to take the county to court on this. We cannot afford to allow this site to be destroyed.”

Pagaling said the council wants the county to determine the site’s full sacred and archeological significance. He said the National Historic Preservation Act and the California Environmental Quality Act mandate such an examination.

Renee C. Fraser, a Simi Valley-based archeologist hired by the council, said the finding of possible human remains would negate the county’s 1991 study.

In a letter to Britt, Fraser said five test areas at the site have been excavated in recent days and in all five evidence was found of possible human remains and stone tools.

“We believe this site is incredibly significant,” Fraser said. “Sites like this are critical in our ability to understand the prehistory of California. It’s not something that should be plowed through.”