Environmental study reveals mission artifacts
Mission artifacts that could be more than 200 years old were discovered during an archaeological survey near the San Gabriel Mission, an environmental consultant said Wednesday.
Pottery, brick, livestock bones and remnants of a masonry waterway associated with a mill built in 1823 were among the artifacts discovered Tuesday during the dig.
Archaeologists also recovered items linked with the building of the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s.
“It’s a mixture of both, but the bulk of it is mission period,” said Cara Corsetti, project manager for SWCA, an environmental consulting firm.
The excavation was being done for an environmental impact review of a trench upgrade, set to begin in 2011. The work is part of Alameda Corridor East, a massive project that involves safety improvements along 39 rail crossings from Pomona to Montebello. It includes building grade separations between roadways and railroad crossings.
Archaeologists and a representative for the Gabrielino/Tongva Indians have been at the site for about two weeks and are expected to finish their survey Friday.
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