Éxva Teméeku

Éxva Teméeku is the place of Creation for the Luiseño people. This cultural site was originally excavated in 1952, and the archaeological collection, over 150 cubic feet, remained in storage until 2010. A brief site report published immediately after the excavation analyzed only a portion of the collection, leaving many unanswered questions about this remarkably significant cultural site. This landmark book provides the first ever detailed archaeological analysis of the entire prehistoric portion of the 'Éxva Teméeku collection and has led to new conclusions about what village life was like for the Luiseño people before contact. Additionally, this analysis has provided the author an opportunity to play a role in the preservation of her Luiseño ancestors’ village through knowledge and affirmation of their thriving presence and in the process, serve all Luiseño people, past, present and future.

Myra Masiel-Zamora is a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. In 2005, she received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. She has worked for Pechanga Cultural Resource Center since 2005. In 2013, she received a Master of Arts in Anthropology from San Diego State University. Masiel-Zamora has dedicated her career to cultural preservation and revitalization.