In A Time of Little Choice Randall Milliken suggests that the Causen, an Ohlone tribelet, may have inhabited a single village in the Sunol valley. We have assigned Vargas Plateau to the Causen, not to the Tuibun or Alson, whose territories lay along the Fremont Plain.
Vargas Plateau is owned by the East Bay Regional Park District but held in “land bank” status. One should secure permission before visiting it.
Jeff’s Niles Canyon MortarOne bedrock mortar and a house pit along Alameda CreekElevation 217 ft.This is another one of Jeff’s beautiful single mortar sites.The site is on the left side of the trail under the trees.These rocks sit on a terrace above Alameda Creek, which flows in the background, and are arranged in a horseshoe […]
North Vargas Plateau1 bedrock mortar and 1 portable mortarPossible adjoining prayer seat.Elevation 1150 ft.A reader of Native American Indian Sites in the East Bay Hills turned us on to this site. Keep those emails coming folks.In the distance: Alameda Creek catchment basin, Coyote Hills, the Peninsula.A closeup of the pestle. The discoloration probably isn’t paint, […]
South Vargas Plateau3 bedrock mortars.Elevation 1150 ft.A real power spot. Fabulous views. Mission Peak and Upper Alameda Creek in background.One should secure permission before visiting this site.