Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 January 2017
Data from archaeological investigations in the habitation mounds of the lower Sacramento Valley by the Sacramento Junior College during the last three years have thrown much light on a very interesting and hitherto imperfectly known aboriginal trait of molding and baking small clay objects. Wissler characterizes California as an area in which pottery was absent. Kroeber subsequently notes that pottery-making occurred north of the Tehachapi Mountains. Gayton describes pottery in detail for the Yokuts and Western Mono. Meredith first specifically noted the occurrence of baked-clay objects in the northern San Joaquin Valley. Holmes, Jones, and Schenck followed, the latter's being the most comprehensive study.
The author is indebted to Mr. E. W. Gifford, Curator of the Museum of Anthropology, University of California, for criticism; to Dr. Philip Drucker of the Department of Anthropology for assistance with the manuscript; to Charles Bell of the Sacramento Junior College for the drawings; to Mr. and Mrs. Beverley A. Blackmer of Pyramid, Nevada, whose generous support of field work made possible the observation of some of the data contained herein; and especially to Mr. J. B. Lillard, President of the Sacramento Junior College.