Fifty Years Ago: Student Tom King Unearths Miwok Cemeteries in Madera County

MADERA TRIBUNE -- Tom King, archeologist from San Francisco State College and his crew, have unearthed two separate Miwok Indian cemeteries near the Buchanan Dam site. King said the discoveries have been especially helpful in revealing aspects of the Miwok culture.

“We can now tell their blood type and some of the diseases they died from,” said King. In the first three weeks of excavation, 16 bodies have been discovered. The expedition has also uncovered two dance houses. The project is to tie the Miwoks of the area with the Gold Rush and Spanish-American periods.