Abstract
The archaeological feature discussed here is a well next to a Euro-American blacksmith shop that contained three separate depositional events, each containing a large number of Chinese ceramics. This well is located in the abandoned gold rush town of Virginiatown in western Placer County that was occupied from the early 1850s through the 1900s. Unlike the Chinese portion of the town, the Euro-American portion remains explored archaeologically. The study and interpretation of this feature is important to further understand the economic and social relationships between the two ethnic groups living in Virginiatown.
The thesis presented here details the findings and subsequent analysis of the excavation of the well. The data comes from the completed excavation of the well and the later laboratory analysis of the recovered artifacts and previous archival research conducted. Analysis indicates that the objects represent a Chinese person living and working nearby, either in the blacksmith shop and/or as domestic servants to local families.