The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Winter 1988, Volume 34, Number 1
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor
Book Notes
Raymond Starr, Book Review Editor
The Scope of Historical Archaeology: Essays in Honor of John L. Cotter.
Edited by David G. Orr and Daniel G. Crozier. Philadelphia: Laboratory of Anthropology, Temple University, 1984. Maps. Illustrations. 304 Pages.
For half a century, John L. Cotter has been a major figure in American archaeology. To honor his work this collection of essays has been compiled. The essays reflect a variety of philosophies, themes and topics which have been pertinent to Cotter and his long career. The book also includes a bibliography of Cotter’s work. The item in the anthology which has most direct bearing on San Diego is the article “Endangered Resources: Historical Archaeology of California’s Missions,” by Roger E. Kelly and Marsha C.S. Kelly. In the article the authors review mission history, and then summarize archaeological research on a mission by mission basis. They conclude with observations about the danger to the sites in California and recommendations, especially to speed up reports on the mission digs. The section on the San Diego mission mentions the University of San Diego excavation at the mission and Paul Ezell’s digs at the Presidio. The excavations at San Luis Rey and the asistencia at Pala are also reported.
