A Mysterious Pavement and its Coverup
A Mysterious Pavement and its Coverup
Finds show that the ditch was filled in sometime in the 1940s based on artifactual evidence such as the datable Vicks VapoRub jar now in the display cabinet. But what was it used for? And why did it later fall into disuse and ultimately become concealed by a sandy fill? Does the bicycle wheel and the sole from a baby's shoe, both found in association with it during the 2025 season, hold the clues? Was one of the founders of Farmer's Insurance involved in the coverup?
During the surface survey at Bonita Camp a prominent concrete feature surfaced and was degradding in the area of buildings B and C. Excavations would reveal it to be a pavement that extended for roughly 70 meters and its discover has begun to elucidate some interesting aspects about the site's chronology. Historical aerial photos indicated the presence of this feature sometime during or just after World War II. This was a time of significant change for the site, the future of Irvine, and the growth of Southern California. Over three seasons, portions of the pavement were uncovered and documented along with its stratigraphic context. Our current understanding is that this pavement marks a shift in the site from its agricultural role as part of the Irvine Ranch Co. to a set of tentant farmer residences as the Irvine Company shifted towards large scale real-estate development. Our analysis of the stratigraphy shows that it was constructed over a previous drainage ditch that ran through the site. Evidence from aerial photography shows that drainage was shifted to the east (along what is currently California Ave.) so that an open sewer no longer ran through the residential area of the camp. Further excavation is planned for the upcoming 2026 iteration of Anthro 48: "I Dig UCI."
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