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Abstract
Medea Creek Cemetery (LAn-243) is an island Ventureno Chumash site in the Santa Monica Mountains which contains an estimated 397 primary and secondary burials. Early occupation began in Phase 2A of the Late Period (ca. A.D. 1500); the site was abandoned ca. A.D. 1785. It is assumed that the social personae of the deceased were expressed in discriminations made in mortuary treatment. The overall pattern of interment provides eivdenced that the population was organized beyond the level of a simple, egalitarian society.
Mortuary distinctions between the sexes were made on the bases of (1) kinds of grave goods (but not quantity); (2) orientation (males more southerly); and (3) depth of grave (males deeper). But these distinctions were not marked. A survivorship curve indicated that the population represented an expected range of ages, and mortuary distinctions between adults and sub-adults were made on the basis of placement in the cemetery (sub-adults were placed more to the west); position (sub-adults were more frequently on their right sides); orientation (children were more varied in orientation); and in quantities of goods (greater with sub-adults). The Lorenz curve (a device for describing degree of differentiation of wealth) for sub-adults was more differentiated than for adults. I suggest that adult status tended to be expressed more in non-cemetery context, such as annual mourning ceremonies or houseburnings; whereas the status of the immature was more typically expressed during burial rites.
Cult paraphernalia was evidence for the presence of members of the elite, regional 'antap organization. Canoe parts indicate people with familial ties to access to the use of canoes on the coast.
The proportion of local cemetery goods to imported goods was over 70:1. The community was involved in a complex exchange relationship with the Santa Barbara Channel Islanders, and the exchange was mediated through coastal Malibu. Medea Creek probably exported acorns, islay and other gathered products; and imported primarily luxury goods, i.e. beads, ornaments, and soapstone utensils. . . . (Author's abstract exceeds stipulated maximum length. Discontinued here with permission of school.) UMI