BOWL & BALL PESTLE, GOLETA SLOUGH, CALIFORNIA

Bowl: 

Height:  1 ½”

Rim Width:  2 ¾”

Grind Hole:  ¾”

Weight:  13.1 oz

Ball-Pestle

Diameter:  1 ¾”

Weight:  5.6 oz

Inland from the Goleta Slough (a muddy waterway), was an ancient island where many Chumash families lived and hunted for thousands of years.  MANY years later, during WW2, the US military needed a west coast airfield runway, so they completely filled in the surrounding swamp, dismantling the surrounding Goleta archeological remains.  The war-time dig produced thousands of stone artifacts of which many were pilfered by the diggers.  As this was a wartime build, the brass “looked the other way.” 

Somehow over the years a Chumash stone bowl—no doubt from the surrounding village, found its way near the Slough ocean entranceway

While some striations and nicks are evident, it is in relatively good condition.   Considering its size it was probably used to grind small batches of material, perhaps to smoke (note:  a tube-pipe was found nearby)

It was carved out of black steatite—the stone of choice for many Chumash artifacts.  Also known as soapstone, the material is impervious to heat and  stain resistant.

This is a marvelous find that is being offered to the lucky bidder, considering its makers and provenance.

Dings, sand abrasion nicks/dents