The “Exposed Archaeology” of China Lake, California

Abstract

Some of the richest and most varied archaeological information in North America lies on desert surfaces of the Greater Southwest and Great Basin. Because these sites are erosional exposures, it has been common to discount them and to overlook the opportunities they afford. This article outlines procedures which have proved successful in studying an extensive area of Paleo-Indian sites at China Lake, California. These procedures may be adapted to similar desert regions elsewhere.