Archaeology project

1. Public Archaeology
Presentation - Fort
Guijarros Exhibit
Justin Gillespie
ANTH345
October 14, 2018

2. Introduction
• The San Diego Archaeology Museum was the museum I visited.
They had an exhibit of Fort Guijarros. Being near Ballast point, it
was one of the few defensive positions for the Spanish in the San
Diego Bay area. Near here was a whaling community in the 1800’s.
San Diego was a huge hub for the whaling industry during this
time.

3. Method and Theory
• The excavation of Fort Guijarros on Ballast Point Loma in San Diego was led by Ronald V.
May in 1981 to 1995.
• “The primary objective for all the investigations has been to obtain evidence for the
physical appearance of Fort Guijarros. Secondary research designed methods to analyze
quantities of food bone and other kitchen debris to characterize the quality of life
Spanish soldiers experienced during the occupation of 1796-1822 and Mexican military
occupation of 1822-1835.” (Archaeology Field Report on the Search for Fort Guijarros,
n.d.)
• Using Modern excavation techniques Ronald V. May spent nearly 15 years digging up this
sight learning much about the fort and the whaling community.

4. Public Outreach
• They had many whaling tools
on display, including ancient
tools used by natives, Glass
jars, pots, tools and even
ancient weapons.
• They had detailed posters in
each case helping everyone
learn as much as they could
from each age.

5. More items on display

6. More items on display

7. Even more items!

8. Important Issues
While it may have not been there intent the Ballast Point Fort
Guijarros exhibit shed light on the whaling industry and how
harmful it can be to the environment. As the museum shown the
whaling industry of California in the 1800’s it also shed light on the
industry itself and raised many questions among the kids.
Whaling is one of the worlds most widespread and ancient forms of
living resource exploitation (Randall & Smith, 2010).
While the Navy owned this site looters and grave robbers were not a
fear during the excavation during the 80’s and 90’s.

9. Conclusion
• Fort Guijarros and Ballast point was filled with history and
information alike. The multitude of artifacts and remains that
were found were amazing from old fishing and whaling tools to the
military artifacts found at the fort show just how important
archaeology really is.
• This exhibit shed some much needed light on an important world
issue such as whaling may have not been there intent but it
brought up many questions during the tour from myself and the
boy scouts that were there as well.

10. References
• Archaeology Field Report on the Search for Fort Guijarros. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 14, 2018, from
https://soap.sdsu.edu/Volume1/FtGuijarrosSearch/search.htm
• Clapham, P. J., Childerhouse, S., Gales, N. J., Rojas-Bracho, L., Tillman,
M. F., & Brownell, R. L. (2007). The whaling issue: Conservation,
confusion, and casuistry. Marine Policy,31(3), 314-319.
doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2006.09.004
• Reeves, R., & Smith, T. (2010). Commercial Whaling, Especially for Gray
Whales, Eschrichtius robustus, and Humpback Whales, Megaptera
novaeangliae, at California and Baja California Shore Stations in the 19th
Century. Marine Fisheries Review,72(1), 1-25. Retrieved October 14,
2018.