Inland Empire Community Newspapers • March 21, 2013 • Page A5 Calico remains destination of modern paleontologists; opened door to new era By Harvey M. Kahn I t's not your imagination if you thought that portions of San Bernardino County look about 200,000 years old. Some of the world's top paleontologists have found evidence suggesting that homo erectus once inhabited the shores of the now dry Lake Manix in Calico. Enough prehis- toric artifacts were unearthed there in 1954, that renowned sci- entist Dr. Louis Leakey declared Calico a site of extreme interest. Leakey was motivated to San Bernardino after seeing evidence shown to him by the late San Bernardino archaeologist Dr. Ruth D. Simpson. Though the Bureau of Land Management says that researchers first found primitive stone tools at Calico in 1942, the old western mining town did not officially be- come a prehistoric dig until 1964, when Leakey secured a grant from the National Geographic So- ciety. Leakey's notoriety was en- hanced by some of his landmark discoveries of early man at the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, Africa. Leakey took Simpson's lead and became the project manager of excavations at Calico. Until then, he thought the America's were less significant as far as the origins of man. Leakey success- fully gained additional funding for "The Calico Early Man Dig" from the University of Pennsylva- nia, the Wilke Foundation, UCLA as well as National Geographic. The Bureau of Land Management said that Leakey once had 25 to 30 paid staffers onsite at Calico. Leakey's health and credibility waned but he insisted that stone artifacts found at Calico were di- rectly related to those he found in Africa. Critics say Leakey's find- ings in Calico are insignificant because there have been no corre- sponding human or animal bones unearthed at the site. Before her death, Simpson called the Calico Mountain ar- chaeological site a mother lode of tool quality material which drew people to inhabit the valley. Simpson told University of Maine officials that ancient tools found at Calico showed the extent of man's early craftsmanship. "Cal- ico makes apparent the need to re- evaluate the archaeological and geological data from previously known sites." Simpson predicted that Calico will eventually be known as a site that will open doors, "Into a whole new chapter of American archaeology, estab- lishing that man was here and was an accomplished tool maker in the Middle Pleistocene." By the time Leakey died in 1972 and Simpson in 2000, most all the funding was used up. Now, there is the nonprofit, "The Friends of the Calico Early Man Site" which works in partnership with the San Bernardino County Museum to keep Calico alive. The site is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Manage- ment. On the first Saturday and Sunday of each month from Oc- tober to May, about 10-50 volun- teers make the trek to Calico in search of artifacts. "It's the oldest active dig in the U.S.," said cur- rent Friends of Calico Dig project manager Adella Schroth. "It is the only archaeological site in Cali- fornia where the public is allowed to participate. We welcome everyone." Schroth said there have been those from throughout the world come to the Calico site. "We find something every time we go out there," said Schroth, who serves also as the San Bernardino County Museum Cu- rator of Anthropology. The Meetup.com/Friends of the Calico Early Man Site, says that volunteers will be taught to identify man-made artifacts from naturally formed geofacts; how to dig and record findings; help manage and preserve a unique ar- chaeological site; and hear lec- tures about geology, astronomy and early man. There is no charge to participate with the Friends of Calico group, however annual memberships are available for $20 families; $15 per; or $10 stu- dents. Members can participate in board of directors decisions. PHOTO COURTESYBLM PHOTO Dr. Louis Leakey led Calico Man Dig for nine years. PHOTO COURTESY/BLM PHOTO Former San Bernardino County Museum Curator Dr. Ruth Simpson just prior to her death in 2000. Was driving force behind Calico Man Dig PHOTO COURTESY/BSB COUNTY MUSEUM PHOTO Dr. Adella "Dee" Schroth (Left) and Dr. Mary Karhu at the San Bernardino County Museum identifying artifacts found at Calico Archaeological Site. Funerals are often too costly. A Solution is here. Quality Care at Affordable Prices Cremation or Burials Let us know how we can help. INLAND MEMORIAL FD1758 In the heart of Colton 900 Meridian Ave, Colton Ca. 92324 Located inside Hermosa Garden Cemetery Call Brenda 909-254-4100 $39.95 mo. Dental Insurance (California) Example of Co-Pay Detailed Oral Exam = NO COST X-rays = NO COST Office Visit = $5.00 Teeth Cleaning = $5.00 Fillings = $8.00 Tooth Extractions = $10.00 30 Day Money-Back Guarantee $39.95 Per Month Individual $89.95 Per Month for the Entire Family American Workers Insurance Service offers low dental insurance rates for the community. For more information CALL 909-322-5859 ask for James ID#58024 OR visit http://lowercost.awis- dental.com/ We look forward to hearing from you.