Prehistoric Turquoise Mining in the Halloran Springs District, San Bernardino County, California

Abstract

Prehistoric turquoise mining in California has been treated in a cursory fashion, and the papers which address this industry are based upon field work prior to 1930. The intensity of mining and its relationship to cultural development in the Southwest suggests this activity warrants detailed analysis. This article addresses the tools, techniques, and antiquity of aboriginal turquoise mining in the Halloran Springs district of San Bernadino County, California.