Ancient Tatavium Mortar and Pestle donated to College of the Canyons

• Members of the Asher family have graciously donated a Tatavium Indian Mortar and Pestle for COC students to use while studying Anthropology. It was originally discovered on the family ranch in Agua Dulce, now a part of the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area. Weighing in at approximately 200 pounds, the artifact is a rare example of an intact mortar/pestle originally used to process food such as acorn, seeds and various grains.

(Picture Source: COC: The Bottom Line Newsletter)

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• The Anthropology department has joined with many others at COC to document stories and experiences from the veterans here in Santa Clarita Valley. Students have already signed up to join faculty to collect oral stories and historical items from these individuals to ensure their deeds don't go unnoticed.

   

  • The mission of the Veterans History Project is to collect and archive the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans to honor their service and share their stories with current and future generations. The Project also collects stories from homefront civilians who worked in support of our armed forces.
  • For more information on the Project, visit the Library of Congress website: www.loc.gov/vets

   

• For information on how to participate, please email the Anthropology contact, Richard Martinez

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• The department has just added to our osteological collection a wide variety of human and non-human bones.
  • Lab classes will be able to compare anatomical features of various primates by using both the skulls and complete skeletons!
  • Recent archaeological finds like Homo floresiensis are also now a part of our expanding collection!
  • Forensic Anthropology will be even more interesting as we are now able to examine things like blunt force trauma and cultural modifications.

   

Sound interesting???...... Take the Lab class and find out!!

(entire collection not pictured)

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• We are now offering the following Anthropology classes at the Canyon Country Campus in addition to our courses at the  Valencia campus and online!!

-Introduction to Physical Anthropology

-Physical Anthropoloy Laboratory

-Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Check current class schedule)

-Indians of the Southwestern U.S. (Check current class schedule)

-Indians of California (Check current class schedule)

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