The archaeologist at the Malibu (California, USA) location where an authenticated Clovis cultural era spear point was found in 2005 has announced the formation of a group to try to protect the site that could date back 11,000 years, as well as raise public consciousness about the need for ways to address conflicts over site access with private property owners. Dr. Gary Stickel said the first aim of the organization, called Friends of Farpoint, is to "immediately save the Farpoint site for its proper preservation and conservation."
     To this end, the archaeologist said the group seeks to "foster a National Park Service connection to the site." Stickel said he has met with officials of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and discussed the possibility of a future Farpoint exhibit, as well as enlisted support from the NPS and other public agencies for the site's protection. The archaeologist said the new organization will also "seek creative ways to enhance the cultural resources," emphasizing the ability of these resources to provide potential answers to some of the many questions that exist about prehistoric North American migration and habitation.
     Among the broad-brush issues is whether the data support the 'European origins' theory for the origin of the Clovis culture in the New World, as opposed to the traditional theory, which holds that the first Clovis people were the ancestors of Native Americans who came from Siberia across the Bering Land Bridge into Alaska and then inhabited North America. Stickel said, "Actually there are problems with both theories, and I am neutral, wishing to keep an open mind until more evidence can be produced, hopefully in part from our Farpoint site, and that is why it is so important for our nation’s history." He also emphasized that "we collected a good deal of data that indicates that the Chumash Native American People occupied the Farpoint site for thousands of years, and we were not al­lowed to fully document their occupation or even how long they occupied the site. That needs to be done."    
     Anyone seeking more information about Friends of Farpoint can contact Stickel at 323-937-6997 or dregarystickel@netzero.net.

Source: Malibu Surfside News (31 May 2007)