Archeologist, teacher and textbook author Dr. G. Timothy Gross will give a presentation Monday, April 30, about his excavation projects in La Jolla’s Torrey Pines, Scripps Estates and Spindrift properties.
Gross’ presentation, hosted by the La Jolla Historical Society and open to the public, will explain La Jolla’s influence on Western archaeology and will shed light on the process of co-authoring a book.
Gross was introduced to the La Jolla Historical Society while conducting a survey for excavation on the Wisteria Cottage property at the corner of Eads Avenue and Prospect Street, which is the site of the organization’s future home, according to John Bolthouse, the society’s director.
“When he came to look at the site, it was obvious that he knew his stuff and he spoke so eloquently about La Jolla,” Bolthouse said. “Just taking a look at the landscape here, he could describe what was going on hundreds of thousands of years ago.”
When society staff asked Gross to give a lecture, he agreed on the spot, Bolthouse said, adding that the organization is pleased to hold such an event, which will be the first of its kind for the society.
Gross is also a member of the San Diego Archaeological Center, an organization focused on preserving archaeological collections and promoting their educational, scientific and cultural use.
Employed by the El Cajon-based consulting firm Affinis since 1987, Gross has taught both archaeology and anthropology classes at the University of San Diego, San Diego State University and Mesa College.
The La Jolla Historical Society was founded in 1963 by a group of residents and today has 1,100 members, according to its Web site.
Bolthouse, who was hired in 2006 as the organization’s first executive director and professional archivist, has since helped create a $2 capital campaign to restore Wisteria Cottage and two historic buildings on the property that were built at the turn of the century.
The society plans to wrap up fund-raising efforts by the end of 2008 but will move into the new building before that, Bolthouse said.
For more information on the La Jolla Historical Society, visit www.ljhs.org or call (858) 459-5335.