The Archaeological Conservancy Acquires 600th Preserved Site in California

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Archaeological Conservancy has reached a significant milestone by acquiring its 600th archaeological preserve, the Se Nshong Dŭn (Good Rock Place) site, located in northern California. This extensive Indigenous chert quarry is a crucial piece of cultural heritage, offering insights into the region's prehistoric past and the resource extraction practices of its early inhabitants.

The site, previously unrecorded by archaeologists, spans approximately three acres and includes toolstone shatter, chert outcrops, broken bifaces, large cores, hammerstones, and grinding implements. These artifacts provide a tangible link to the ancestors of the Eel River Wailaki, an Athabaskan-speaking Indigenous people who named the site. The quarry, situated in the center of the Eel River Wailaki's ancestral lands, likely served as a primary source of toolstone for the community and other groups in the area.

The story of Se Nshong Dŭn dates back 150 million years, when microscopic organisms called radiolarians settled on the seafloor, forming layers of chert. Over time, these oceanic rocks and sediments were carried to the edge of the North American continent and eventually uplifted and exposed as part of the Franciscan Complex. This complex, exposed throughout California's Coast Ranges, provided a valuable resource for the region's early inhabitants.

For thousands of years, the chert within the Franciscan Complex was used to create essential tools. Clovis points, spear and arrow points, scrapers, and knives were fashioned from this high-quality material, which was also potentially a valuable trade commodity. The Se Nshong Dŭn site, with its rich archaeological deposits, could have been a major source of toolstone for the Eel River Wailaki and other groups in the area.

The acquisition of the Se Nshong Dŭn site is not only a milestone for the Archaeological Conservancy but also a significant step in preserving the region's cultural heritage.

Moving forward, the quarry at Se Nshong Duñ may be visited by students, community members, archaeologists, and descendant communities to understand the extraction process and connect with the past. The Conservancy has produced a virtual site visit video to celebrate this milestone and showcase the beauty and significance of the 600th preserve. Visitors can explore the site through the Conservancy's website at thearchcons.org or on the organization's YouTube page at youtube.com/@TheArchaeologicalConservancy.

The Archaeological Conservancy, established in 1980, is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring and preserving the best of our nation's remaining archaeological sites on private land. Each acquisition begins with a landowner, archaeologist, Tribal representative, Conservancy member, or citizen recognizing the irreplaceable value of a site and taking steps to preserve it.