Amira F Ainis
Biographic Data
| ID | 268341 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Amira F Ainis |
| GIVEN NAMES | Amira F |
| FAMILY NAME | Ainis |
| SIGNATURE | AINIS A F |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Oregon |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5538-7204 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 76 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Trans-Holocene coastal occupations at the Faro Punta Marquez site, Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico
Excavations at the Faro Punta Marquez (FPM) site reveal occupations spanning the Holocene from ∼10,600 cal BP to a couple of hundred years ago. Shellfish remains indicate a reduction of estuary and mangrove habitats associated with climatic shifts and sea-level stabilization during the Early–Middle Holocene transition. Shellfish assemblages demonstrate flexible harvesting strategies as early occupations are marked by bivalves associated with mang…
Coastal Foraging During the Last ∼4,800 Years at Bajamar-Jatay, Baja California, Mexico
Indigenous inhabitants of the Baja California peninsula used littoral and marine resources for food and raw materials from the Holocene through the Spanish Colonial and Mission period. This study analyzes faunal assemblages from seven archaeological sites in the Bajamar-Jatay area spanning ∼4,800 years to examine coastal foraging strategies during periods of cultural transition and environmental variability. Subsistence practices focused on harve…
Restoring Nature
Journal Article Restoring Nature: The Evolution of Channel Islands National Park. By Lary M. Dilsaver and Timothy J. Babalis Get access Restoring Nature: The Evolution of Channel Islands National Park By Lary M. Dilsaver and Timothy J. Babalis (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2023. vii + 406 pp. Photographs, maps, figures, notes, bibliography, index. $30.00, paper.) Amira F Ainis Amira F Ainis California State University–Los Angeles Los An…
Settlement Chronology and Subsistence Patterns in Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Cabo Pulmo National Park (CPNP), within the East Cape of Baja California Sur, Mexico, is the location of a highly productive rocky reef ecosystem that was likely attractive to people throughout the Holocene. AMS radiocarbon dates from sites along the coast and faunal data from two excavated sites, D20 and D27, indicate people were present in the region by at least 7120–6755 cal b.p. (D34), but evidence of persistent occupation and possibly higher…
News and Notes
Morphometric and stable isotope analysis of archaeological Totoaba macdonaldi otoliths, Baja California, México
Spring tides, storm surges, and the destruction of coastal middens
This study used photogrammetry to analyze digital video taken before and after a new moon perigean spring tide that caused extensive damage to archaeological sites along the Upper Gulf of California coastline, south of San Felipe, Baja California, México. We created a 3D digital surface model (DSM) and orthophoto of the Conchero 4 site, a large multicomponent shell midden and sand dune. Results showed mass wasting (∼100 linear meters and ∼1500 m3…
Using sea urchin remains to infer the health of kelp forest ecosystems in the past
Sea urchins, one of the few echinoids harvested for human consumption, are found in archaeological sites from coastal settings around the world spanning at least the past ∼15,000 years. Sea urchin tests and spines are commonly found in archaeological shell middens on California’s Channel Islands, sometimes forming dense “urchin lenses.” Though ubiquitous, the fragile nature of their test (outer shell) results in a high degree of fragmentation, co…
Shellfish, Geophytes, and Sedentism on Early Holocene Santa Rosa Island, Alta California, USA
Archaeobotanical remains recovered from a large ∼8000-year-old-shell midden (CA-SRI-666) on Santa Rosa Island provide the first ancient plant data from this large island, shedding light on ancient patterns of plant use, subsistence, and sedentism. Faunal data from shell midden samples retrieved from three site loci contain evidence for harvesting of rocky intertidal shellfish and estuarine clams and oysters from a paleo-estuary in the vicinity. C…
Late Pleistocene estuaries, palaeoecology and humans on North America's Pacific Coast
The Antiquity of Pearling in the Americas
AMS radiocarbon dating of two modified pearls from the Covacha Babisuri site, Espíritu Santo Island, Baja California Sur, México, corroborates associated midden dates suggesting that traditional indigenous use and modification of pearls as items of adornment began at least 8,500 years ago. To our knowledge, these are the oldest modified pearls found in dated archaeological contexts anywhere in the world. The presence of similarly modified pearls …
A Cache Within a Cache
Excavation of a cache feature eroding from a sea cliff on the northwest coast of San Nicolas Island produced two redwood boxes containing more than 200 artifacts of Nicoleño, Native Alaskan, and Euroamerican origin, along with four asphaltum-lined basketry water bottles and other artifacts. An abalone shell “treasure-box” was found inside the western box of the feature that included a large black abalone shell dish containing 20 items and a secon…
Years of Human Predation on Black Turban Snails ( Chlorostoma funebralis ) on Alta California's Northern Channel Islands
Examining the ecology and archaeology of black turban snails (Chlorostoma [Tegula] funebralis), found along North America's Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California, we present evidence for 12,000 years of human predation in Northern Channel Island shell middens. Often viewed as evidence for Late Holocene economic intensification along the southern California Coast, we identified black turban middens dated to the terminal Pleistocen…
Chipped stone crescents from America’s Far West
Chipped stone crescents, Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene artifacts from North America’s Far West, are often found in surficial contexts as isolated finds, with many currently residing in private or museum collections with limited provenience information. Such collections have the potential to reveal metric and morphological data, and contribute to our understanding of the distribution and material source locations for this unique artifact…
Using non-dietary gastropods in coastal shell middens to infer kelp and seagrass harvesting and paleoenvironmental conditions
Expanding the Chronology for the Extinct Giant Island Deer Mouse ( Peromyscus nesodytes) on San Miguel Island, California, USA
Navy, the University of Oregon, Humboldt State University, and California State University, Los Angeles through various grants and contracts. Radiocarbon dates were funded by the U.S. Navy. Jon M. Erlandson and Torben C. Rick were instrumental in helping form our ideas on these topics. Special thanks to Jennie A. Allen and Emily L. Whistler for the many hours they spent helping to sort through and identify the faunal materials discussed in this a…
Trauma and pathology of a buried dog from San Nicolas Island, California, U.S.A
Years of human predation and size changes in the owl limpet (Lottia gigantea) on San Miguel Island, California
A double dog burial from San Nicolas Island, California, USA
Years of human predation and size changes in the owl limpet (Lottia gigantea) on San Miguel Island, California
A double dog burial from San Nicolas Island, California, USA
Using non-dietary gastropods in coastal shell middens to infer kelp and seagrass harvesting and paleoenvironmental conditions
The Antiquity of Pearling in the Americas
AMS radiocarbon dating of two modified pearls from the Covacha Babisuri site, Espíritu Santo Island, Baja California Sur, México, corroborates associated midden dates suggesting that traditional indigenous use and modification of pearls as items of adornment began at least 8,500 years ago. To our knowledge, these are the oldest modified pearls found in dated archaeological contexts anywhere in the world. The presence of similarly modified pearls …
Chipped stone crescents from America’s Far West
Chipped stone crescents, Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene artifacts from North America’s Far West, are often found in surficial contexts as isolated finds, with many currently residing in private or museum collections with limited provenience information. Such collections have the potential to reveal metric and morphological data, and contribute to our understanding of the distribution and material source locations for this unique artifact…
Expanding the Chronology for the Extinct Giant Island Deer Mouse ( Peromyscus nesodytes) on San Miguel Island, California, USA
Navy, the University of Oregon, Humboldt State University, and California State University, Los Angeles through various grants and contracts. Radiocarbon dates were funded by the U.S. Navy. Jon M. Erlandson and Torben C. Rick were instrumental in helping form our ideas on these topics. Special thanks to Jennie A. Allen and Emily L. Whistler for the many hours they spent helping to sort through and identify the faunal materials discussed in this a…
Shellfish, Geophytes, and Sedentism on Early Holocene Santa Rosa Island, Alta California, USA
Archaeobotanical remains recovered from a large ∼8000-year-old-shell midden (CA-SRI-666) on Santa Rosa Island provide the first ancient plant data from this large island, shedding light on ancient patterns of plant use, subsistence, and sedentism. Faunal data from shell midden samples retrieved from three site loci contain evidence for harvesting of rocky intertidal shellfish and estuarine clams and oysters from a paleo-estuary in the vicinity. C…
A Cache Within a Cache
Excavation of a cache feature eroding from a sea cliff on the northwest coast of San Nicolas Island produced two redwood boxes containing more than 200 artifacts of Nicoleño, Native Alaskan, and Euroamerican origin, along with four asphaltum-lined basketry water bottles and other artifacts. An abalone shell “treasure-box” was found inside the western box of the feature that included a large black abalone shell dish containing 20 items and a secon…
News and Notes
Using sea urchin remains to infer the health of kelp forest ecosystems in the past
Sea urchins, one of the few echinoids harvested for human consumption, are found in archaeological sites from coastal settings around the world spanning at least the past ∼15,000 years. Sea urchin tests and spines are commonly found in archaeological shell middens on California’s Channel Islands, sometimes forming dense “urchin lenses.” Though ubiquitous, the fragile nature of their test (outer shell) results in a high degree of fragmentation, co…
Years of Human Predation on Black Turban Snails ( Chlorostoma funebralis ) on Alta California's Northern Channel Islands
Examining the ecology and archaeology of black turban snails (Chlorostoma [Tegula] funebralis), found along North America's Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California, we present evidence for 12,000 years of human predation in Northern Channel Island shell middens. Often viewed as evidence for Late Holocene economic intensification along the southern California Coast, we identified black turban middens dated to the terminal Pleistocen…
A double dog burial from San Nicolas Island, California, USA
Trauma and pathology of a buried dog from San Nicolas Island, California, U.S.A
Years of human predation and size changes in the owl limpet (Lottia gigantea) on San Miguel Island, California
Expanding the Chronology for the Extinct Giant Island Deer Mouse ( Peromyscus nesodytes) on San Miguel Island, California, USA
Navy, the University of Oregon, Humboldt State University, and California State University, Los Angeles through various grants and contracts. Radiocarbon dates were funded by the U.S. Navy. Jon M. Erlandson and Torben C. Rick were instrumental in helping form our ideas on these topics. Special thanks to Jennie A. Allen and Emily L. Whistler for the many hours they spent helping to sort through and identify the faunal materials discussed in this a…
Using non-dietary gastropods in coastal shell middens to infer kelp and seagrass harvesting and paleoenvironmental conditions
Years of Human Predation on Black Turban Snails ( Chlorostoma funebralis ) on Alta California's Northern Channel Islands
Examining the ecology and archaeology of black turban snails (Chlorostoma [Tegula] funebralis), found along North America's Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California, we present evidence for 12,000 years of human predation in Northern Channel Island shell middens. Often viewed as evidence for Late Holocene economic intensification along the southern California Coast, we identified black turban middens dated to the terminal Pleistocen…
Chipped stone crescents from America’s Far West
Chipped stone crescents, Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene artifacts from North America’s Far West, are often found in surficial contexts as isolated finds, with many currently residing in private or museum collections with limited provenience information. Such collections have the potential to reveal metric and morphological data, and contribute to our understanding of the distribution and material source locations for this unique artifact…
A Cache Within a Cache
Excavation of a cache feature eroding from a sea cliff on the northwest coast of San Nicolas Island produced two redwood boxes containing more than 200 artifacts of Nicoleño, Native Alaskan, and Euroamerican origin, along with four asphaltum-lined basketry water bottles and other artifacts. An abalone shell “treasure-box” was found inside the western box of the feature that included a large black abalone shell dish containing 20 items and a secon…
Shellfish, Geophytes, and Sedentism on Early Holocene Santa Rosa Island, Alta California, USA
Archaeobotanical remains recovered from a large ∼8000-year-old-shell midden (CA-SRI-666) on Santa Rosa Island provide the first ancient plant data from this large island, shedding light on ancient patterns of plant use, subsistence, and sedentism. Faunal data from shell midden samples retrieved from three site loci contain evidence for harvesting of rocky intertidal shellfish and estuarine clams and oysters from a paleo-estuary in the vicinity. C…
Late Pleistocene estuaries, palaeoecology and humans on North America's Pacific Coast
The Antiquity of Pearling in the Americas
AMS radiocarbon dating of two modified pearls from the Covacha Babisuri site, Espíritu Santo Island, Baja California Sur, México, corroborates associated midden dates suggesting that traditional indigenous use and modification of pearls as items of adornment began at least 8,500 years ago. To our knowledge, these are the oldest modified pearls found in dated archaeological contexts anywhere in the world. The presence of similarly modified pearls …
Spring tides, storm surges, and the destruction of coastal middens
This study used photogrammetry to analyze digital video taken before and after a new moon perigean spring tide that caused extensive damage to archaeological sites along the Upper Gulf of California coastline, south of San Felipe, Baja California, México. We created a 3D digital surface model (DSM) and orthophoto of the Conchero 4 site, a large multicomponent shell midden and sand dune. Results showed mass wasting (∼100 linear meters and ∼1500 m3…
Using sea urchin remains to infer the health of kelp forest ecosystems in the past
Sea urchins, one of the few echinoids harvested for human consumption, are found in archaeological sites from coastal settings around the world spanning at least the past ∼15,000 years. Sea urchin tests and spines are commonly found in archaeological shell middens on California’s Channel Islands, sometimes forming dense “urchin lenses.” Though ubiquitous, the fragile nature of their test (outer shell) results in a high degree of fragmentation, co…
Morphometric and stable isotope analysis of archaeological Totoaba macdonaldi otoliths, Baja California, México
News and Notes
Settlement Chronology and Subsistence Patterns in Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Cabo Pulmo National Park (CPNP), within the East Cape of Baja California Sur, Mexico, is the location of a highly productive rocky reef ecosystem that was likely attractive to people throughout the Holocene. AMS radiocarbon dates from sites along the coast and faunal data from two excavated sites, D20 and D27, indicate people were present in the region by at least 7120–6755 cal b.p. (D34), but evidence of persistent occupation and possibly higher…
Restoring Nature
Journal Article Restoring Nature: The Evolution of Channel Islands National Park. By Lary M. Dilsaver and Timothy J. Babalis Get access Restoring Nature: The Evolution of Channel Islands National Park By Lary M. Dilsaver and Timothy J. Babalis (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2023. vii + 406 pp. Photographs, maps, figures, notes, bibliography, index. $30.00, paper.) Amira F Ainis Amira F Ainis California State University–Los Angeles Los An…
Trans-Holocene coastal occupations at the Faro Punta Marquez site, Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico
Excavations at the Faro Punta Marquez (FPM) site reveal occupations spanning the Holocene from ∼10,600 cal BP to a couple of hundred years ago. Shellfish remains indicate a reduction of estuary and mangrove habitats associated with climatic shifts and sea-level stabilization during the Early–Middle Holocene transition. Shellfish assemblages demonstrate flexible harvesting strategies as early occupations are marked by bivalves associated with mang…
Coastal Foraging During the Last ∼4,800 Years at Bajamar-Jatay, Baja California, Mexico
Indigenous inhabitants of the Baja California peninsula used littoral and marine resources for food and raw materials from the Holocene through the Spanish Colonial and Mission period. This study analyzes faunal assemblages from seven archaeological sites in the Bajamar-Jatay area spanning ∼4,800 years to examine coastal foraging strategies during periods of cultural transition and environmental variability. Subsistence practices focused on harve…
Geography (16 works) · Archaeology (14 works) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (10 works) · Biology (9 works) · Ecology (8 works) · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research (7 works) · Holocene (7 works) · Fishery (6 works) · Geology (6 works) · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology (5 works)