ir cape 349
Tump band 350
Cotton cloth 351
Summary and conclusions 351
Bibliography 352
Explanation of plates 356

MAPS

1. Baja California, showing
location of Bahia de Los Angeles 339
2. Linguistic groups of Baja California 340

FIGURES

1. Detail of arrow or dart (139587),
showing sting-ray spine point and
cuplike depression at butt end 344
2. Tie-twined matting technique 346
3. Square-knot technique 347
4. Method of beginning hairnets and
carrying nets 347
5. Detail of lower, fitted edge of
hairnet 348
6. Detail of lower, gathered edge of
carrying net 348
7. Detail showing insertion of feathers
in hitches of carrying net 349

[Illustration: Map 1. Baja California, showing location of
Bahia de Los Angeles.]

* * * * *

A BURIAL CAVE IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

THE PALMER COLLECTION, 1887

BY
WILLIAM C. MASSEY AND CAROLYN M. OSBORNE

INTRODUCTION

In December of 1887 Dr. Edward Palmer, the naturalist, set sail from the
port of Guaymas in Sonora, crossed the Gulf of California, and landed at
Bahia de Los Angeles on the peninsula of Baja California. Then, as now,
there was a modest gold-mining operation at the bay. During his brief
stay at the mining station, Dr. Palmer excavated a small natural cave
which had been used by the Indians who were then extinct in that part
of the peninsula.

Seven partially disturbed skeletons and a variety of associated
artifacts were collected and deposited at the United States National
Museum. The collection also included some potsherds and shells from a
midden on the shores of the bay. All of these items were listed and
briefly described in the Annual Report of the United States National
Museum for the year 1888 (pp. 127-129).

Aside from the intrinsic value of presenting archaeological material
from the little-known area of Baja California, the Palmer Collection has
particular importance because of its immediate geographic source. Bahia
de Los Angeles lies in that part of Baja California most accessible to
the Mexican mainland (map 1). Not only is there a relative physical
closeness, but the Gulf islands form here a series of