Collection History

Joe Finnigan of the SACRF is seen searching for an artifact located in the Spacesaver Storage System.


The archaeological collections currently located at the State Archaeological Collections Research Facility (SACRF) derive from a series of excavations undertaken by State Parks archaeologists. Though most of the artifacts come from California State Parks (see Bone Harpoon Points below), a significant number were derived from projects on behalf of other agencies such as Caltrans, the Department of Water Resources and the Army Corp of Engineers.

Lab storage racks at the SACRF.

The collection continues to grow due to the State Park Systems major capitol outlay program. In 1977, the collections were moved to their current location in West Sacramento, thus creating the archaeology lab, called the SACRF. In recent years, considerable effort has been made to update the facilities.

These Bone Harpoon Points are an example of the thousands of SACRF artifacts that have come from excavations in California State Parks.
Bone Harpoon Points used by Alaskan Natives to hunt sea otters.
Found at the Native Alaskan Village Site at Fort Ross State Historic Park.