Site 35J04 is located on the south bank of the Rogue River, four miles west of Grants Pass, Oregon. Excavation of the site was conducted in 1976 by Oregon State University under contract to the Corvallis branch of CH2M/Hill. Eight artifact assemblages were distinguished during the analysis of the site. From these assemblages two distinct components were defined. Component I was dated to 460±90 BP. A close affiliation with the coast is evident for this time period from the concaved-base projectile points which are unique to this component. On the coast these concaved-base points are a late development and are usually associated with shell middens. Component II consisted to two circular house pits and the contemporary living surface around them. Carbon 14 dates this component at approximately 1400 BP. The dominant projectile point for this component was small, 9 mm to 18 mm in length, triangular-blade, corner-to-base notched point. An interior adaptation is evident for this component. Light, periodic use of the site was evident between component I and component II. The site had also been used prior to the component II occupation. Cultural debris was present in low frequency to a depth of 1.9 meters below the surface. / Graduation date: 1979

The portion of the Oregon coast extending from Cape Blanco south into California has long been recognized as a distinct physiographic region, with probable ramifications for prehistoric subsistence and settlement patterns. Several researchers have proposed models outlining a greater reliance upon marine/littoral resources among groups within this region, while more northerly groups exhibited a higher reliance upon estuarine resources. Current knowledge about regional prehistoric subsistence practices, based upon the archaeological record and ethnographic sources, was correlated with the distribution and relative abundance of exploited and potentially exploitable marine species. These data suggest that the abundant coastal rocks and islands found along this section of the Oregon coast serve to concentrate diverse and abundant animal resources within a confined area, allowing for ease of exploitation. Therefore, the rocks and islands were of potential economic importance to aboriginal groups. To support this hypothesis archaeological subsurface testing was undertaken on the only previously recorded offshore island site, and an archaeological sample survey was conducted on additional rocks and islands along this section of coastline to determine their utilization by native peoples. Two additional prehistoric sites were recorded. The results of these investigations are herein presented, and directions for future research are discussed. / Graduation date: 1991