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GREAT SAND DUNES FIELD TRIP

Our Archaeological Network field trip on May 11 to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was attended by 22 humans and at least 2 million gnats! Fred Bunch, Resource Management Specialist, informed us about area's natural and cultural history. Of particular interest was the observation of significant dune movement. Heights of particular dunes remain quite constant but it seems the locations of the tops of the higher dunes vary considerably suggesting that the dune field migrates during a relatively short period of time. Following the highly informative and entertaining discussion (Fred is part stand-up-comic !) we were led through the sand, pinyon, and juniper on a short hike to view ponderosa pine trees which were culturally peeled. Peeling was probably done by historic Ute Indians in order to utilize the tree's cambium layer for medicine and/or emergency food (see article in Archaeo-Update Vol. 1, No. 2). Dates for the peeling, based on dendro-chronologic (tree-ring) studies, are mostly in the mid-to-late 1800's.

The group also viewed the Monument's collection of artifacts. Sue Jaris led us through the collection which were mostly found and turned in by park visitors, Several Folsom points dating to about 8,500 B.C. were inspected as were Early Archaic (5,000 B.C. to 3,000 B.C.) and Late Archaic (3,000 B.C. to 500 A.D.) projectile points. Grinding stones were also evident in the collection. Associated records easily allowed one to determine when, where, and who found the artifacts. Evidence indicates use of the area by a variety of hunting and gathering societies.

The highlight of the museum tour was seeing an engraved "turtle stone" found by Sue Jaris. While leading an interpretive tour she and a visitor noticed what they thought was some kind of "egg" tangled in the exposed roots of a tree. When they removed the "egg" and turned it over it was an ancient looking engraving of a turtle on a small river cobble! Origin is unknown, but the location among the roots suggests it had been there a long time. The "riddle of the turtle" may never be answered! Many thanks to Fred Bunch and Sue Jaris for an excellent job leading the trip. During lunch, at the group picnic area, a business meeting was held. Discussion centered around interest in the PAAC training program and the need for activity coordinators.

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UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS

On Saturday, July 13, Yvonne Halburion will host a field trip to the Saguache area. One site to be visited are the stone remains of prehistoric habitation structures on a volcanic ridge overlooking the SLV (see the following story detailing stone structures). There also will be visits to sites important in Saguache history including an 1873 flour mill and an 1860s Hispanic cemetery, where local people have done preservation work. An Indian agency, building and other sites will also be seen. Meet at 1 0 AM on the south side of the town park. Bring boots, insect repellent, and lunch. 4X4s are not needed.

On Sunday, August 25 we will meet at Fort Garland Museum for a visit to an excavation related at the historic military fort. A tour of the dig will be done by Ann Bond of the Colorado Historical Society. Admission will be $1.50 each. Plan to view museum collections before or after the dig tour.

Members who would like to assist with the Fort Garland excavation, August 22 to ' September 3, may contact: Ann Bond, Curator of Material Resources, Colorado Historical Society, 1300 Broadway, Denver CO 80203, or call her at (303) 866-4691. Volunteers usually sign up for 4 to 5 days.

IN THE FUTURE

On Saturday, September 14 there will be a field trip to the Dry Creek Petroglyphs near Monte Vista. The trip will involve a hike of about 1 1/2 miles to view five panels of rock art. Information about time and meeting place will be reported in the August issue of the Archaeo-Update. The June 8 field trip to Hansen's Bluff was canceled because of a lack of archaeological sites. An area is being searched for that would be conducive for a site recording field trip.

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STONE STRUCTURES OF THE SLV
by Ken Frye

At two of our stops during the July 13th field trip to sites near Saguache we will see prehistoric stone structures, a site type that is increasingly being found in the area of the SLV. Remains may be vision quest sites, habitation sites, fortification walls, corrals, pens, or game blinds. Some are historic structures, which may not be Native American built. About 1/3 of the area's rock art sites have a stone structure located near them.

Types of Stone Structures

Vision quest sites are generally small, piled stone circles or "C" shaped structures in which a Native American would stay, while fasting, until the vision quest was fulfilled. One such site, adjacent to a rock art panel near Del Norte, was identified by a Ute elder.

Habitation structures are larger and consist of stone foundations that, most likely, had wooden supports. Hides were probably stretched over the supports or branches and brush may also have been used to form the structure. Several features near Cochetopa Pass demonstrate this site type. Artifacts and evidence of burned soil are often found near habitation structures. Some of these structures may be attributed to Late Archaic period (3000 B.C. to 500 A.D.) hunters and gatherers.

A site of a suspected prehistoric corral is found near a rock art panel on the lower Rio Grande. The petroglyphs seem to depict a deer enclosed in a circle. On the top of the basalt outcrop a stone circle is found, which may be a corral. Game blinds are often found in locations where game migrate on a daily basis, either to water sources or through geologic features such as saddles. Fortification walls look similar to game blinds but are usually found on ridge tops suitable for defense from raiding parties. Some of the stone structures to the south of Saguache were identified as fortifications by a visiting Ute elder. This site will be visited on July 13th during the field trip.

Historic structures of stone are also found. Some may be foundations for cabins, tents, or maybe corrals for sheep or horses. Rock cairns or "torreones" are usually used as landmarks, but some may be associated with observing astronomical events. A cairn in the foothills near Monte Vista may be such a site.
For more information and to see photos of the various stone structure types visit the Rio Grande County Museum's Rock Art of the SLV exhibit in the stone structure section.

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ACTIVITY COORDINATORS

A number of members have agreed to coordinate special activities. Julie Howard PAAC Training, Ken Frye education, Virginia Simmons cultural resource surveys and National Register nominations, and Carolynn Haggard, the "telephone tree". Thanks to these people for helping. Still needed is a person to coordinate program and field trip planning. This person should be familiar with the area's geography, archaeological and historic sites, and be able to coordinate with local agencies and private land owners, Let Virginia Simmons know if you are interested. All members need to pitch in to help make life as easy as possible for special activity coordinators!

CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY MEETING

In July members who are interested in working in planning and conducting cultural resource surveys and preparing nominations to the National Register of Historic Places will have a meeting. Meeting date is to be announced at the field trip on July 13. For more information phone Virginia Simmons at 657-2923. Members Dolly McClellan and Loretta Mitson have already signed up. All are welcome to participate.

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PAAC PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC), administered by the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS), provides a means for people to obtain formally recognized levels of expertise in archaeological methods. This training is available to Archaeological Network and other community members. We attempted to get on the fall/winter schedule but could not meet the deadline. Preparations are under way to get classes in the SLV on the spring 1997 schedule. All necessary information will be provided in the August 1996 issue of the Archaeo-Update.

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TRADITIONAL USES OF THE NATIONAL FORESTS

The San Juan/Rio Grande National Forest is conducting a study of traditional gathering on the Forest. Traditional uses involve the gathering of plants and other items for cultural use. American Indian, Hispanic, and other area cultures all use the area's forests and grasslands to varying degrees. Resources collected include trees, bark, roots, bulbs, herbs, forbs, grasses, mosses, lichens, and fungi.

Goals of the project are to learn about present use, to determine the effect on ecosystems from gathering of plants by different methods, and to foster an attitude where traditional gathering can continue and flourish. A traveling exhibit about the uses of plants and sustainable plant gathering is also a part of the project. If anyone has an interest in this project call Vince Spero at 657-2371, 852-6242 (work).

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MEMBERS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL NETWORK ARE URGED TO JOIN
THE COLORADOARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

People involved in the SLV Archaeological Network are urged to join the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) as an unaffiliated member. Individual membership includes a subscription to Southwestern Lore the official publication of CAS. This journal of Colorado archaeology, in existence since the 1930's, presents research pertaining to a wide variety of subjects. Examples of recent articles include: The McKinney Cabin Site, Fremont County, Colorado, Archaeological Site Vandalism in Colorado, A Survey of Computer Applications in Archaeology, and Age Determinations of Petroglyphs in Southeast Colorado. The CAS Code of Ethics and an application form is attached for your use. Although the SLV Archaeological Network is not a chapter of CAS please mention that you are affiliated with the SLV Archaeological Network.

COLORADO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY CODE OF ETHICS

Members of the Colorado Archaeological Society agree as follows:
1. Members will uphold State and Federal Antiquities Laws.
2. Excavation of archaeological sites will be conducted only according to professionally accepted procedures developed in consultation with a professional archaeologist and with the written permission of the land owner. The investigator has the responsibility for the publication of his/her investigation and for making the collection available for further scientific study.
3. Members are encouraged to report archaeological sites to the Office of the State Archaeologist on State Site Survey forms. Materials collected from surface site shall be cataloged and described in the Site Survey Report. Collected materials should either be deposited with the State Archaeologists Office or made available for scientific study.
4. Members will not support illegal or unscientifically conducted activities by participating in or condoning the sale, exchange, or purchase of artifacts obtained from such sites.
5. Members who exhibit artifacts will do so in an educational context. Items from burials and objects considered sacred will not be exhibited.
6. Members will cooperate with the State Archaeologist and other persons and agencies concerned with archaeology and related fields.
7. Members will respect the dignity of groups whose culture histories are the subject of archaeological investigation.
8. Members will not participate in conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation about archaeological matters.

COLORADO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

The following form can be used to join the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) as an unaffiliated member. Dues include subscription the Southwestern Lore, the official publication of CAS.

I (we) agree to abide by the CAS Code of Ethics.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM

NAME(S) ______________________________________________________________________________________
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Include all family members (if family application).______________________________________________________
ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________________________________
CITY____________________________ STATE____________________ ZIP __________PHONE (___ )___-_______
MEMBERSHIP AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ _____________
DATE MEMBERSHIP:__________________ Renewal?___________________ Application?
MEMBERSHIP TYPE:
_____________Individual ($12.50)_____________ Family ($15) ___________Institutional ($25)
_____________Individual Life ($200)_____________ Joint Life ($250)
_____________Supporting ($25-UP) ______________Contributing ($150-UP)

(ALL BUT $8.00 IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE)

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: COLORADO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND SEND TO:
DONALD C. TUCKER, 920 BALSAM ST., CORTEZ CO 81321

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