El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California's Lost City

By Richard L. Carrico

Discover the fascinating story of California's first European settlement through this groundbreaking archaeological and historical exploration.

Before Los Angeles, before San Francisco, there was El Presidio de San Diego.

Founded in 1769, this Spanish fortress and mission was the birthplace of Alta California's colonial history. Author and historian Richard L. Carrico takes you on an extraordinary journey through centuries of buried history, bringing to life the soldiers, priests, Native people, and settlers who built Spain's first outpost on the Pacific Coast.

What Makes This Book Special

This is the first comprehensive publication to combine archaeology and history of the San Diego Presidio, offering readers an intimate look at California's origins through:

• Evocative illustrations that transport you back in time
• Lively narrative based on decades of archaeological research
• Fascinating discoveries from excavations spanning 1920s to 1970s
• Personal insights from the archaeologist who directed the digs
• Intimate details about daily life, artifacts, and the people who lived and died at the Presidio

What You'll Discover

Learn how archaeologists pieced together life in the late 1700s through mid-1800s from artifacts, grave excavations, and structural remains. Explore the complex relationships between Spanish soldiers, Franciscan missionaries, and the Kumeyaay people. Understand the conflicts, struggles, and triumphs that shaped California's colonial period.

From Junípero Serra planting the first Catholic cross to the dramatic 1769 battle with indigenous leaders, Carrico brings California's founding era to vivid life.

Perfect For

• History enthusiasts and California history buffs
• Archaeology and anthropology students
• Educators and researchers
• Anyone interested in Spanish colonial history
• Readers fascinated by the American West
• National Historic Landmark visitors

About the Author

Richard L. Carrico is an award-winning author, respected archaeologist, and retired professor of American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. With over 40 years of archaeological experience and author of five books and more than 30 academic articles, Carrico directed excavations at the San Diego Presidio and brings unparalleled expertise to this essential California history.

His recent work Monsters on the Loose won second place at the 2024 Book Fest and was a Silver Falchion Award Finalist. His book Strangers in a Stolen Land is used as a textbook at several universities.

Essential reading for understanding California's past. Order your copy today and explore the lost city that started it all.