Abstract

This volume inaugurates a new series on the archaeology and ethnohistory of the Ross Colony, an early nineteenth century Russian trade outpost established in northern California. Founded by the Russian-American Company in 1812, and operated as a commercial enterprise until 1841, the Ross Colony comprised an early multi-ethnic community composed of Europeans, Creoles, native Alaskans, and local Kashaya Pomo, Southern Pomo, and Coast Miwok peoples. Located 110 km north of San Francisco on the scenic Sonoma County coastline, the Ross Colony is now a state historic park administered by the California Departmnent of Parks and Recreation.