La Jolla shell middens and the 'La Jolla complex' archaeological designation

Archaeologist Malcolm J. Rogers identified shell middens and other prehistoric sites in the La Jolla area and defined the regional 'La Jolla complex' to describe coastal shellmound-producing communities in what is now La Jolla. Shell middens and burial features were documented historically along the La Jolla coastline, including areas around La Jolla Cove, providing key evidence of long-term Indigenous shellfish harvesting and coastal occupation. These archaeological findings are central to understanding prehistoric lifeways on the San Diego coast and continue to inform local research and preservation efforts.