Archaeology & Artifact Discovery
Bufford Ranch, located in the historic Walker Basin area, offers a unique opportunity to explore a rich tapestry of cultural and historical artifacts that tell the story of the land’s original inhabitants and early settlers.
Participants can discover Native American grinding rocks—tools once used for processing seeds and grains—and explore ancient pictographs that provide fascinating insights into the spiritual and daily lives of indigenous peoples. The ranch also holds remnants of historic mining camps, shedding light on the gold rush era and the rugged life of early miners in the region.
This immersive experience invites guests to connect with the past, uncovering layers of history preserved on the ranch. Whether you’re an archaeology enthusiast or simply curious about the cultural heritage of Walker Basin, Bufford Ranch offers a captivating journey through time.
| Archaeological & Cultural Findings
Kawaiisu Presence: The Kawaiisu (sometimes called the "Tehachapi Indians") traditionally occupied the southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, and western Mojave Desert. Their seasonal rounds brought them through present-day Kern County rangelands, including where Bufford Ranch is situated.
Artifacts & Remains: Archaeological surveys in Kern County (including lands overlapping with Bufford Ranch) have recorded:
Bedrock mortars and pestles for grinding acorns and seeds.
Lithic scatters (obsidian and chert flakes, projectile points).
Rock art (pictographs and petroglyphs) tied to Kawaiisu mythology and ritual life.
Burial remains in some Kern County sites, though these are protected and handled under NAGPRA with tribal oversight.
At Bufford Ranch specifically, surface surveys documented prehistoric cultural material (stone tools, manos/metates, flakes). These finds link directly to Kawaiisu seasonal use of the area.