UCLA Student Eileen Skalky Researches History at Rancho Los Cerritos

Eileen Skalky, an Anthropologie student at UCLA recently contacted the Rancho to make a research appointment. She is following in the footsteps of her great grandmother and Long Beach historian Loretta Berner. Eileen is researching the cogged stones that were found on-site and the time period they come from.

Eleven cogged stones were unearthed at Rancho Los Cerritos during the 1930 remodel of the Rancho Los Cerritos adobe home. The stones date from 6000 to 3000 BCE, but modern scholars are not in agreement about the functions they may have served. “The mysterious aspect of them is definitely appealing to me, as well as the fact that they could be 8,500 years old. Another interesting fact I came across was that there were cogged stones found in shell mounds in Chile that date to 9,000 years ago. I am just interested to see what I find during my research.” says Eileen.

While visiting Rancho Los Cerritos, Eileen was able to view the cogged stones, interview staff, and walk the site to see where previous archeological digs had occurred with former curator Steve Iverson and horticulturist Marie Barnidge-McIntyre. Rancho Los Cerritos is always happy to support local researchers in learning more about our shared history.

“The goal of my research is to bring more awareness to the site, focusing on the local Indigenous cultures, particularly the Tongva. If my scholarship research proposal is accepted, I will spend a year studying the material culture found that is associated with the Millingstone Period. My research project will be to tell the history of Tevahangna more thoroughly, and maybe even what came before that, using the Native American artifacts found at the site…I want to research what modern Long Beach was like prior to European contact.” says Eileen.

If you are researching history we encourage you to visit the Rancho and reach out to us to make a research appointment so that we can connect you to the resources that we have to offer. Rancho Los Cerritos is home to the California History Research Library, as well as archives, and research files. The California History Research Library contains more than 3,000 books on California history, both rare volumes and current publications, and also books on decorative arts and museum studies. The Archives contain original documents, maps, blueprints, photographs, and sound and image recordings directly associated with the Rancho and its owners, occupants, and workers. The Research Files consist of documents, articles, research notes, and photographs. Access to these collections is by appointment, please email Rancho@RanchoLosCerritos.org to schedule an appointment.

The cogged stones were featured in Tevaaxa’nga (Te-vaah-ha-nga) to Today: Stories of the Tongva People, an exhibit celebrating the history and culture of the Tongva (Gabrielino); the first people to inhabit the land that would eventually become Rancho Los Cerritos. Link to exhibit