Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology

Early radiocarbon dates of 8,310 ± 110 B.P. from the Neptune site and 6,880 ± 80 B.P. and 7,960 ± 90 B.P. from Tahkenitch Landing on the central Oregon coast were obtained from below shell midden deposits and have been cited as evidence of a "pre-littoral" adaptation in this region. However, association of the Neptune site date with human occupation is suspect, and the Tahkenitch Landing dates are associated with evidence of exploitation of marine resources in an adjacent estuary. No securely dated evidence currently exists for a "pre-littoral'' adaptation along the southern Northwest Coast.