Native American Remains Found Near Construction Site

Skeletal remains of a Native American were discovered Tuesday morning during an archeological investigation near a parking and roadway construction site at the University of California, Davis. The remains, believed to be those of a member of the Patwin Tribe, were located in a former agricultural area south of the main campus between Old Davis Road and Interstate 80. The area was being thoroughly studied by archeological consultants after archeologists last month found evidence of Native American bead- and tool-making during excavation work for the parking structure. During the investigation, campus officials have been in contact with the representatives designated by the Native American Heritage Commission as "the most likely descendants" of the local Patwin Tribe. The tribal representatives were notified of the Tuesday discovery, and agreed with campus officials to secure the area around the archeological site until its significance can be fully evaluated. The campus has also notified the Yolo County Coroner's Office. Archeologists will conduct further investigations of the area in coming weeks. It was not anticipated that the discovery would disrupt the construction schedule for the parking and roadway project. The site is adjacent to the planned $53.5 million Center for the Arts performance hall scheduled to break ground in spring 2000. "We will continue to work with Native American tribal representatives to proceed with the full respect that the situation calls for," said Sid England, campus environmental planner. The remains appear to be those of a Native American adult woman and date to between A.D. 700 and 1200, when the area around Putah Creek was inhabited by the Patwin Tribe, according to John Nadolski of Pacific Legacy, Inc., an archeological consultant hired by the campus to investigate the campus improvement area. Two years ago, an original archeological survey recorded evidence of stone tool manufacturing in the fields where construction is under way for the parking structure. The area, considered a zone of cultural sensitivity because of its proximity to the former creek bank, has been closely monitored by archeologists since construction began last summer. Last month, the discovery of additional artifacts near the site prompted intensive investigation. The skeletal remains were discovered about 18 inches below the surface in an area that had not been previously excavated and is not currently under construction. In September 1993, human remains believed to be Native American were discovered during construction at the campus' Solano Park student family housing complex, which is also located south of the main campus along the former banks of Putah Creek. At that time, representatives of the Patwin Tribe chose to rebury the remains on campus.