Exploring a Scientific Research Station from a Bygone Era: Historical Archaeology at Orr's Camp, Santa Rosa Island (Wimal), Alta California

The northwest coast of Wimal (Santa Rosa Island) has long been a focus of archaeological research, including former Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History archaeologist, geologist, and paleontologist Phil Orr's work from the 1940s-1960s. Orr pioneered the use of radiocarbon dating on the California Channel Islands, built extensive archaeological collections, and constructed a detailed cultural sequence. Here, we discuss the history and status of Orr's island research camp, archaeological site CA-SRI-766H, describing monitoring and erosion of the site during the past several decades. Two radiocarbon dates obtained from adjacent CA-SRI-7 (Orr's Camp shell midden) document Island Chumash occupation of the site between similar to 2820-1160 cal BP, helping place the area into broader regional context. Revisiting the historical documents and physical remains of past research can help understand the evolution of archaeological practice, evaluate outdated procedures of conducting research without tribal consultation and consent, and promote a more inclusive future of the discipline.