A Prehistoric Dog Burial from the Intermediate Period at CA-ORA-1055, Laguna Canyon, Orange County, California

The skeleton of an aboriginal dog was exhumed at CA-ORA-1055, a lakeside camp site, whose occupants focused on local resource extraction in Laguna Canyon central Orange County, California. The burial dates to the later Intermediate Period. ORA-1055 was originally occupied during the Intermediate Period and abandoned during the Late Period when Laguna Canyon was within the southern territory of the Gabrielino (Tongva) peoples. The feature consists of a dog buried in a folded position, with the head located above the hindquarters, and cover by a cairn comprised of parts of a deep-basin metate. A possible stone ball is the only potential artifact occurring with the burial. The physical attributes of the animal's skeleton are consistent with the morphotype known as a Small Indian Dog or Tachichi. The feature most likely represents the burial of a pet, but could be associated with the destruction of personal property associated with funerary activity.