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SAN LUIS VALLEY FOLSOM PALEOUNDIAN SITES INVESTIGATED

A team of archaeologists, headed by Pegi Jodry and her husband Dennis Stanford of the Smithsonian Institution, excavated at Stewart's Cattle Guard Site from September 9 to 22. The site, which is located near the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, is a Folsom site dating from approximately 10,800 B.P. (before present). Pegi graciously took the time to talk about all aspects of the site for several Archaeological Network members who toured the site.

Stewart's Cattle Guard site is best described as a single-occupation Folsom site including the remains of a bison kill of at least 45 animals. The occupation, which was short term, occurred during the fall of the year (based on bison dentition studies which determined the age of the animals). A campsite, adjacent to the kill area, was established to serve as a base area for butchering, hide preparation, bone marrow preparation, and, most likely, meat drying. Domestic activities (eating, sleeping, and tool manufacturing/maintenance) were done around a series of hearths in an area not used for animal processing. Evidence of the manufacture and maintenance of stone hunting tools is seen.

While in the SLV, Ms. Jodry presented a program about the Black Mountain Folsom Site, located about 25 miles to the west of Creede. Found on the Rio Grande National Forest in 1977, the site was extensively test excavated in 1993 by a crew from the Smithsonian Institution, assisted by Earthwatch volunteers. Earthwatch is an organization, which supplies volunteers from all over the world for projects involving environmental or cultural studies. About 60 people crowded into the Rio Grande County Museum in Del Norte, on September 12, to listen to the slide program detailing the site. A significant number of Archaeological Network members attended.

At 10,160 feet above sea level the site is among the highest Folsom sites ever investigated. The valley in which the Black Mountain site is located appears not to have been glaciated, allowing a longer time for soil development and resulting in rich vegetative resources. This probably made the immediate vicinity prime bison habitat. A knoll, located adjacent to the site, forms an ideal lookout point for bison in nearby catchment basins. The assemblage of stone tools recovered from the site is strongly dominated by the remains of Folsom point production including preforms (unfinished projectile points), Folsom projectile point fragments, channel flakes (flakes resulting from creation of flutes), and biface reduction flakes numbering 1,025. Folsom scrapers, a graver/draw knife, and a shaft-working tool were also found.

It was exciting to note that work at the site will continue in August and September 1997 and that Archaeological Network members will be welcome to help excavate! This opportunity makes attendance of the upcoming PAAC classes even more important for members to pursue.

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PAST ARCHAEOLOGICAL NETWORK ACTIVITIES

On August 25 members viewed the site of excavations at Fort Garland. Anne Bond, from the Colorado Historical Society, reported on aspects of investigations there and then members were allowed to inspect collected artifacts. Excavations, concentrating on the noncommissioned officers quarters, will continue in 1997. Volunteers will again be needed to assist in all phases of work. Anne will be notifying us of dates in the Spring.

MORE PAST ARCH-NET ACTIVITIES

A group of Archaeological Network members who are working on a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places is making good progress with data and forms for a historic adobe church at Lasauses. This first nomination is being regarded as a "learning experience" after which the committee plans to undertake an archaeological site, which will be more complicated and difficult.

UPCOMING STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

The Steering Committee will meet on November 2, at 10 AM at the Movie Manor Restaurant, to the west of Monte Vista. Plans will be made for meetings and field trips in 1997 and there will be a discussion of education projects for SLV youth. Our program for designating archaeological sites for protective signing will also be discussed. Everyone is urged to attend and become involved.

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THANKSGIVING WEEKEND IN CORTEZ

A weekend in Cortez has been proposed for Thanksgiving weekend, Friday to Sunday, November 29, 30, and December 1. Proposed activities are visits to the Anasazi Heritage Center, Crow Canyon, a tour of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal P a r k, or other area sites. If you are interested in this outing or think you may be, please phone Loretta Mitson at 843-5328 or Virginia Simmons a' 657-2923 by November 1 so that arrangements can be made in advance in Cortez.

MEMBERSHIP STATUS

Our membership is nearly 60 people and we encourage members to bring their friends and invite them to join. Send names, addresses, and a contribution of at least $5.00, to cover newsletter expenses, to our treasurer Loretta Mitson, Box 231, Manassa, CO 81141 or to Virginia Simmons, 550 Cherry Street, Apt. 3. Del Norte, CO 81132.

PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The placement of signs at certain sites in order to protect them from vandals and other person caused damage has proven to be effective according to a study by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1989. Factors that need to be considered when planning a signing program include selecting sites that are very accessible and that have a history of looting or vandalism. Signs should include both a warning (with a citation of those Federal and State laws which prohibit damaging archaeologic sites) and interpretive information relative to the site's importance.

The location where a sign is placed is also a consideration. On-site signing usually works better for sites which are easily accessible and those that are easy to see. If a site has a large amount of existing vandalism, chances are it will be helped by on-site signing. Patrolling, public education, and site sign-in boxes in conjunction with signing are ways to increase the overall effectiveness of the program.

Signing can help educate the public about the penalties for damaging sites and provide interpretive information about the importance of preserving sites of a specific type. Working with public land agencies and private land owners is also an important part of a successful signing program.

The above information was contained in Arizona Watch, the Newsletter of Arizona Site Stewards (June 1996). Arizona has a site protection program that has been effective in protecting numerous site types from impacts by people. We will be compiling additional information on the subject of signing as an aid in establishing our own program.

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INFORMATION FROM THE PUEBLO CHAPTER OF THE
COLORADO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The South and Eastern Colorado Rock Art group has been active in recording and promoting the preservation of area rock art. In June the group met with representatives of other CAS chapters and others to listen to speakers Helen and Jay Crotty from the Archaeological Society of New Mexico Rock Art Recording Field School. There is an interest among the group to identify, record, and compare the rock art of southeastern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

The next meeting of the South and Eastern Colorado Rock Art group is tentatively scheduled for November l0th at the Pueblo Business Technology Center, 301 North Main St, in Pueblo at 10 AM. If you would like to attend please contact Gary Maraschino at 719542-3856 for more information.

In addition there is a Research Design and Report Writing PAAC course being offered on November 1 through 3, in Pueblo. If you are interested please call Mike Ketchen in Pueblo at 719-547-9134 and tell him you are with the SLV Archaeological Network.

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