VENTURA : Preservation Work on Ruins Under Way

Efforts to preserve archeological ruins next to Mission San Buenaventura have begun and will continue through the end of the month.

The 3,500-year-old site has deteriorated since a major archeological excavation was completed in 1975, said Beth Cohen, the city’s recreation supervisor. The site spans five cultural periods: pre-Chumash, Chumash, Mission Era, Chinese and white settlers.

“The ruins had degraded to the point where we had to do more stabilization, “ Cohen said. “It was difficult for the public to tell what was what.”

After the preservation work is completed, visitors will be able to better understand the site and see the outlines of rooms, which included barracks for Indians who lived at the mission. The mission was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1782.

The stabilization work, which is being done under the supervision of a state archeologist and a historical architect, includes resetting stones in adobe mortar, adding pipes to divert water runoff and removing excess silt.

The $132,000 project was partly funded by a $50,000 grant from the state Office of Historic Preservation. The city is paying the balance.

“This site is a great example of urban archeology,” Cohen said. “It’s a real treasure.”

Visitors can view the ruins at the Albinger Archaeological Museum, 211 E. Main St., between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and until 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Free guided walks can be arranged by calling 658-4730; school tours are available by calling 650-8137.