Forest Archeologist to Give Free Talk

Michael McIntyre holds one job with two functions.

As one responsibility, the staff archeologist for the Angeles National Forest excavates and interprets ancient and historical sites high above the Valley and Los Angeles Basin, gathering knowledge about Native American culture through the ages.

On the other hand, the 45-year-old Reseda resident surveys potential hiking trails and the proposed locations for other suggested projects in the forest to ensure no historic sites suffer damage.

At the monthly meeting of the Santa Susana Mountain Park Assn. on Tuesday, McIntyre will give a free talk and show slides about his work.

“To me the most interesting sites I find are in areas I don’t expect them to be,” he said. “Most sites are like that.”

McIntyre’s presentation will focus heavily on the excavation of Native American camping and tool-building sites. He will also discuss early homesteads, mines and ranches that existed in the forest during California’s pioneer and gold rush eras.

The Santa Susana Mountain Park Assn. meets the third Monday of each month to discuss developments concerning the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. Planners moved the meeting to Tuesday this month to avoid a conflict with Rosh Hashana, a Jewish holiday.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and McIntyre’s presentation starts at 7:30 in the Community Room of the Rock Point Condominium Assn. at 22300 Devonshire St.

For more information, call (818) 704-9304.