A critical evaluation of radiocarbon dates and Indigenous settlement patterns on Santa Catalina Island, California

Figures & data

Figure 1. California Channel Islands, USA.

Figure 2. Santa Catalina Island Indigenous settlements evaluated in this study.

Table 1. Radiocarbon chronology for Santa Catalina Island organized by site.

Site	Lab ID	Material	^14C age (BP)	Calibrated BP (2σ)	Median cal BP	Reference
CA-SCAI-15	UCIAMS-262342	Haliotis cracherodii	5355 ± 20	5595–5240	5415	This study
CA-SCAI-15	UCIAMS-89839	Haliotis cracherodii	2025 ± 15	1495–1140	1310	This study
CA-SCAI-15	UCIAMS-89840*	Haliotis corrugata	755 ± 15	285–125	190	This study
CA-SCAI-17	OxA-27378	Urocyon littoralis	5463 ± 28	5990–5775	5895	Hofman et al. 2015: sup table 3
CA-SCAI-17	OxA-27377	Urocyon littoralis	4636 ± 28	5465–5305	5410	Hofman et al. 2015: sup table 3
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-47273	Marine shell	5340 ± 80	5650–5115	5395	Raab et al. 1995; CARD
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-47275	Marine shell	5200 ± 90	5520–4905	5230	Raab et al. 1995; CARD
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-47277	Marine shell	5070 ± 80	5335–4790	5075	Raab et al. 1995; CARD
CA-SCAI-17	UCIAMS-89842	Haliotis corrugata	2070 ± 15	1530–1185	1355	This study
CA-SCAI-18	UCIAMS-89838	Marine shell	1650 ± 15	1105–740	925	This study
CA-SCAI-24	UCIAMS-262344	Haliotis cracherodii	1595 ± 20	1050–695	865	This study
CA-SCAI-24	UCIAMS-224873	Haliotis cracherodii	1570 ± 15	1005–670	840	This study
CA-SCAI-26	UCIAMS-224874*	Haliotis cracherodii	920 ± 20	430–130	280	This study
CA-SCAI-26	UCIAMS-262350*	Haliotis cracherodii	910 ± 20	420–130	270	This study
CA-SCAI-26	UCIAMS-262351*	Haliotis cracherodii	880 ± 20	405–130	245	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-224881	Pinnipedia	1490 ± 20	930–610	765	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-271234	Otariidae	1450 ± 15	905–570	730	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-271217	Otariidae	1450 ± 15	900–570	730	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-271216	Otariidae	1345 ± 15	785–495	635	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-271235	Otariidae	1300 ± 15	735–465	595	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-271218	Zalophus californianus	1180 ± 15	645–335	505	This study
CA-SCAI-27	UCIAMS-271211	Otariidae (cf. Zalophus calif.)	1140 ± 15	615–305	470	This study
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389237	Mammalia (cf. Canidae)	2260 ± 30	2345–2155	2230	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389251	Canis familiaris	2060 ± 30	2115–1930	2015	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389232	Haliotis corrugata	2590 ± 30	2160–1725	1955	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389234	Haliotis corrugata	2370 ± 30	1890–1485	1685	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389250	Haliotis corrugata	2190 ± 30	1680–1305	1480	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389246	Haliotis corrugata	2170 ± 30	1680–1285	1455	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389248	Haliotis corrugata	2130 ± 30	1610–1250	1420	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389242	Haliotis corrugata	2100 ± 30	1580–1220	1385	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389244	Haliotis corrugata	2100 ± 30	1570–1215	1385	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389252	Haliotis corrugata	2090 ± 30	1555–1195	1375	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389241	Canis familiaris	1290 ± 30	1295–1170	1225	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389240	Haliotis corrugata	1490 ± 30	935–610	765	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389235	Haliotis corrugata	1430 ± 30	890–550	710	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-29	Beta-389233	Canidae	700 ± 30	685–560	660	Dietler and Dietler 2017, 12–34
CA-SCAI-32	UCIAMS-151747	Delphinidae	5855 ± 25	6165–5745	5955	This study
CA-SCAI-32	UCIAMS-151748	Delphinidae	5645 ± 25	5910–5545	5720	This study
CA-SCAI-32	UCIAMS-271214	Delphinidae	5645 ± 20	5910–5545	5720	This study
CA-SCAI-32	UCIAMS-271212	Otariidae (cf. Zalophus calif.)	5585 ± 20	5860–5470	5660	This study
CA-SCAI-32	UCIAMS-271213	Otariidae (cf. Zalophus calif.)	2175 ± 15	1650–1290	1460	This study
CA-SCAI-32	UCIAMS-271232	Phoca vitulina	1325 ± 15	760–480	615	This study
CA-SCAI-39	UCIAMS-224875	Haliotis cracherodii	1650 ± 15	1110–745	925	This study
CA-SCAI-39	UCIAMS-262347	Haliotis cracherodii	970 ± 20	485–140	325	This study
CA-SCAI-39	UCIAMS-262346*	Haliotis cracherodii	900 ± 20	415–130	260	This study
CA-SCAI-41	UCIAMS-105266	Marine shell	1765 ± 15	1240–885	1045	This study
CA-SCAI-46	UCIAMS-224876	Haliotis cracherodii	1810 ± 20	1265–925	1095	This study
CA-SCAI-50	UCIAMS-89836*	Haliotis cracherodii	875 ± 15	400–125	240	Posadas et al. 2011
CA-SCAI-50	UCIAMS-89833*	Haliotis cracherodii	765 ± 20	290–125	195	Posadas et al. 2011
CA-SCAI-106	D-AMS-21145	Haliotis cracherodii	2878 ± 28	2560–2095	2320	This study
CA-SCAI-106	UCIAMS-262348	Haliotis cracherodii	2770 ± 20	2370–1970	2185	This study
CA-SCAI-106	D-AMS-21147	Haliotis cracherodii	1914 ± 30	1365–1005	1195	Radde 2021, 28
CA-SCAI-106	D-AMS-21146	Haliotis cracherodii	1863 ± 25	1305–960	1150	Radde 2021, 28
CA-SCAI-106	UCIAMS-262349	Haliotis cracherodii	1815 ± 20	1265–925	1100	This study
CA-SCAI-106	UCIAMS-224877	Haliotis cracherodii	1790 ± 15	1255–910	1075	Radde 2021, 28
CA-SCAI-106	D-AMS-21144	Haliotis cracherodii	1723 ± 29	1190–800	1005	Radde 2021, 28
CA-SCAI-106	UCIAMS-224878	Haliotis cracherodii	1415 ± 15	865–540	695	Radde 2021, 28
CA-SCAI-110	UCIAMS-262343	Haliotis cracherodii	1390 ± 20	845–520	670	This study
CA-SCAI-110	UCIAMS-224871	Haliotis cracherodii	1040 ± 15	530–225	385	This study
CA-SCAI-137	UCIAMS-224872	Haliotis cracherodii	1215 ± 15	670–380	535	This study
CA-SCAI-429	UCIAMS-224870	Haliotis cracherodii	1015 ± 15	515–185	365	Posadas et al. 2011
CA-SCAI-429	UCIAMS-89835*	Haliotis cracherodii	840 ± 15	365–125	220	Posadas et al. 2011
CA-SCAI-429	UCIAMS-89834*	Haliotis corrugata	815 ± 15	330–125	210	Posadas et al. 2011
CA-SCAI-449	UCIAMS-89837*	Haliotis cracherodii	895 ± 15	415–130	255	Posadas et al. 2011
CA-SCAI-564	UCIAMS-144262	Haliotis cracherodii	2055 ± 15	1515–1175	1340	Radde 2015, 37
CA-SCAI-564	UCIAMS-144254	Charcoal (short-lived plant)	1280 ± 15	1280–1175	1225	Radde 2015, 37
CA-SCAI-564	UCIAMS-144253	Charcoal (short-lived plant)	1040 ± 15	960–920	940	Radde 2015, 37
CA-SCAI-564	UCIAMS-144261	Haliotis cracherodii	1460 ± 15	910–595	740	Radde 2015, 37
CA-SCAI-564	D-AMS-26454	Canis familiaris	932 ± 32	660–520	590	This study
CA-SCAI-564	UCIAMS-144252	Charcoal (short-lived plant)	380 ± 15	500–325	465	Radde 2015, 37
CA-SCAI-564	UCIAMS-144260*	Haliotis cracherodii	780 ± 15	300–125	195	Radde 2015, 37
CA-SCAI-CWC	UCIAMS-224880	Arctocephalus townsendi	3820 ± 20	3680–3270	3465	This study
CA-SCAI-CCR	UCIAMS-271215	Enhydra lutris	1205 ± 15	665–365	525	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-144251	Charcoal (Salicaceae)	1470 ± 15	1380–1305	1350	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-144249	Charcoal (Salicaceae)	1230 ± 15	1245–1070	1145	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-105264	Haliotis cracherodii	1705 ± 20	1170–800	985	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-144257	Haliotis cracherodii	1645 ± 15	1095–735	920	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-144258	Haliotis cracherodii	1635 ± 15	1085–725	910	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-144250	Charcoal (Salicaceae)	985 ± 15	930–795	910	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-105263	Haliotis cracherodii	1595 ± 15	1045–700	865	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-144259	Haliotis cracherodii	1580 ± 15	1035–680	850	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-105262	Haliotis cracherodii	1530 ± 15	960–650	805	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-105271	Mammalia (marine)	1520 ± 15	950–645	795	This study
CA-LAN-3593	UCIAMS-105265	Haliotis cracherodii	1475 ± 20	920–600	755	This study

Notes. All dates calibrated in OxCal 4.4.4 (Bronk Ramsey 2009). Marine shell and marine mammal bone calibrated using Marine20 marine calibration curve (Heaton et al. 2020) and a local marine reservoir correction (ΔR) of 111 ± 55 (Ingram and Southon 1996); charcoal and terrestrial mammal (Urocyon littoralis and Canis familiaris) calibrated using IntCal20 atmospheric calibration curve (Reimer et al. 2020); OxA-27378 and DAMS 026454 calibrated using 50/50 mixed marine and atmospheric calibration curves based on their δ13C isotopic values indicating a marine diet. *Calibrated dates with 2σ ranges extending past the terminal date of indigenous depopulation (130 cal BP) were modeled using the OxCal Before command.

Table 2. Radiocarbon dates rejected based on chronometric hygiene protocol.

Site	Lab ID	Material	^14C Age (BP)	Reference	Reason rejected
CA-SCAI-17	M-434	Charcoal	3880 ± 250	Meighan 1959, 384	mixed charcoal fragments large measurement error lab methods not reported
CA-SCAI-17	UCLA-1880A	Shell	1220 ± 60	Kaufman 1976, 22	not corrected for isotopic fractionation
CA-SCAI-17	UCLA-1880B	Shell	4780 ± 60	Kaufman 1976, 22	not corrected for isotopic fractionation
CA-SCAI-17	UCLA-1928A	Shell	4980 ± 60	Kaufman 1976, 22	not corrected for isotopic fractionation
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-47276	Shell	1380 ± 70	Raab et al. 1995, 293	undefined charcoal sample
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-47274	Charcoal	5105 ± 60	Raab et al. 1995, 293	undefined charcoal sample
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-47278	Charcoal	6850 ± 190	Raab et al. 1995, 293	ambiguous association large measurement error undefined charcoal sample
CA-SCAI-17	Beta-155793	Marine mammal	?	Porcasi and Andrews 2001, 59	conventional age not published lab methods not reported
CA-SCAI-26	GAK-7481	Charcoal	220 ± 80	Reinman and Eberhart 1980, 72	undefined charcoal sample lab methods not reported large measurement error
CA-SCAI-26	GAK-7479	Charcoal	510 ± 90	Reinman and Eberhart 1980, 72	undefined charcoal sample lab methods not reported large measurement error
CA-SCAI-26	GAK-7478	Charcoal	470 ± 90	Reinman and Eberhart 1980, 72	undefined charcoal sample lab methods not reported large measurement error
CA-SCAI-26	GAK-7480	Charcoal	610 ± 90	Reinman and Eberhart 1980, 72	undefined charcoal sample lab methods not reported large measurement error
CA-SCAI-50	UCR-701	Haliotis spp.	2980 ± 150	Breschini, Haversat, and Erlandson 1996, 61; Martindale et al. 2016	ambiguous association large measurement error not corrected for isotopic fractionation
CA-SCAI-92	UCR-702	Haliotis spp.	100 ± 0	Breschini, Haversat, and Erlandson 1996, 61	modern sample ambiguous association
CA-SCAI-137	LJ-4755	Charcoal	270 ± 100	Cottrell, Clevenger, and Cooley 1980, 21	undefined charcoal sample lab methods not reported large measurement error
CA-SCAI-137	LJ-4756	Charcoal	230 ± 90	Cottrell, Clevenger, and Cooley 1980, 21	undefined charcoal sample lab methods not reported large measurement error
CA-SCAI-162	Beta-no #	Shell	?	Howard 2002, 602	conventional age not published lab methods not reported
SCAI_unk	UCR-323	Shell	4070 ± 200	Martindale et al. 2016	ambiguous provenience large measurement error not corrected for isotopic fractionation
SCAI_unk	UCR-700	Haliotis spp.	210 ± 100	Martindale et al. 2016	ambiguous provenience large measurement error not corrected for isotopic fractionation
SCAI_unk	UBA-31907	Human	387 ± 38	Scheib et al. 2018	ambiguous provenience
Lover’s Cove	Beta-77560	Cetecea	830 ± 40	This study	ambiguous provenience

Figure 3. Summed probability distribution and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI).

Table 3. Settlement trends through time.

	Middle Holocene 8200–4200 BP	Late Holocene after 4200 BP	Pre-MCA 1700–1200 cal BP	MCA 1200–700 cal BP	Post-MCA 700–130 cal BP
# Dates	10	74	14	28	26
# Sites	3	21	6	10	14

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