The recent two-year drought (1975-77) provided an opportunity to find out just how such material might be brought to light. During the drought, Lake Berryessa on Putah Creek lowered its level about 40 feet leaving surfaces exposed that were considerably altered from their pre-1956 (year of inundation) condition. How we happened on to the situation is outlined below. This is the first in a series of papers in which we hope to report in detail on the extent, condition, and nature of such material in one small part of the North Coast Range of California.