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VISIT THE BLACK MOUNTAIN FOLSOM EXCAVATION
AUGUST 1 TO SEPTEMBER 21

The San Juan/Rio Grande National Forests & Pegi Jodry of the Smithsonian Institution's Paleoindian/ Paleoecology Project invite all members to come out and visit the 1997 Excavation of the Black Mountain Folsom Site, located about 30 miles west of Creede, Colorado. The Folsom culture, which dates from about 10,900 to 10,200 years before present, is included in the Paleoindian Period, dating from 13,000 to 8,000 years before present. According to Jodry "the 1993 test excavation firmly establishes the seasonal use of high mountain environments as a component of Folsom settlement systems in the Southern Rocky Mountains". We have high expectations for this summers excavation.
Visitors are welcome to the site and in anticipation of your visit there will be an "Information and Education Table" where volunteers will greet you and share information about Paleoindian cultures in general and the Black Mountain site in particular. Site tours, detailing the progress of excavation, will also be given. You may visit anytime of day (we will be on-site from 7 AM to about 6 PM) but visiting at about 10:30 or 11:00 AM is recommended. Bring your lunch and you can pull up a rock (or maybe even a lawn chair!) and we can talk about Folsom people and the site some more ! Remember that the work sessions are: August 1 to 10, August 15 to 24, August 29 to September 7, and September 12 to 21, 1997. This includes all weekends for your convenience.
Access to the Black Mountain Field Camp
The field camp for the Black Mountain Excavation will be at the Bristol Head Guard Station, on the Divide Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest. To get there from Creede drive 20 miles west on Colorado Highway 149 to the Rio Grande Reservoir Road (Forest Service Road 520). Turn left and proceed due west 3 miles to the Bristol View Guard Station, located on your right just after crossing the bridge over Crooked Creek.
Access to the Black Mountain Folsom Site
The Black Mountain Folsom site is located about 1.5 miles downstream from the dam at Continental Reservoir, To get to the site from Creede take Colorado Highway 149 west about 25 miles to Forest Service Road 513, at the Continental Reservoir turnoff. Turn left and drive NW on FS 513 about 2.5 miles and veer left on FS 513.1 A (if you miss this juncture you will soon arrive at Rito Hondo Reservoir), Road FS 513,1 A initially runs along the top of a high outwash terrace. From here you will see, off to the left and below, a distinct knoll beside North Clear Creek. Evidence of our presence will be in view. Continue about 1.5 miles, as FS 513.1 A angles toward the creek, and make a sharp left on the jeep road leading down to the creek and to the site. Be aware that the final stretch of jeep road has a few moderate ruts that do not require 4 Wheel-Drive, but some clearance is preferable (a 1987 Mercury Lynx makes it fine, as long as one is careful!).
For more information call Vince Spero at 719-852-6242 (work) or 719-873-5916 (home). You may also call the Bristol Head Guard Station (after August 1) in the evening at 719-658-2478. The Black Mountain Field Camp mailing address is Black Mountain Excavation, C/O Divide Ranger District, Creede Office, P.O. Box 270, Creede, CO 81130.

*Note: More information and data recovered from the excavation is available on the Black Mountain Folsom Site Page

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SIGN UP NOW FOR PAAC TRAINING
by Loretta Mitson

Mark your calendars NOW to attend the second in the three-part training for Provisional Surveyor certification taught by Kevin Black of the Office of the State Archaeologist. The 25-hour class, "Basic Site Surveying Techniques" will be held on October 17 through October 20 in Alamosa, at a location to be announced in the next newsletter. This course discusses the history of archaeological survey, site identification, topographic maps, and field procedures. A least 1/2 day will be spent in the field putting to use the information discussed in the class. The course is important to anyone interested in an active role in archaeological field work.
The Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC) was established by the Colorado Archaeological Society and the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado to provide an educational vehicle for persons interested in acquiring formally recognized levels of expertise outside of an academic degree program. PAAC seminars enable participants to obtain training in order to effectively work on planned projects such as archaeological surveying, excavation, analysis and interpretation, and cultural resource preservation. The cost of the training is $12. Ten participants are required to ensure the class is held.
SIGN UP NOW ! To reserve your place in the class please contact: Loretta Mitson at 719-8435328, Box 231, Manassa CO 81141, no later than September 15.

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL NETWORK MEMBERS TO VOLUNTEER

The following Archaeological Network members are signed up to volunteer at the Black Mountain Folsom Excavation: Marvin Goad & his son, Joshua of Del Norte will illustrate artifacts found at Black Mountain and other Folsom artifacts of the area, and Ellen McMichaels & JoAnna Stout of Fairplay will help with photography, drawing, and excavation. In addition Jan & Bill Bennett of Hooper are interested in the archaeological inventory of the Mishak Lakes area. Loretta Mitson, of Manassa will contribute by helping with site excavation.
Kevin Black, Assistant State Archaeologist and PAAC instructor, will help establish excavation units and excavate, Andrew & Pauline Power of Creede will excavate and photographically document the site and progress of work, William Tilley of Aguilar will excavate for a total of 23 days, and Bob & Judy Armagast of Alamosa, Suzanne Off of Del Norte & Virginia Simmons of Del Norte are interested in helping with public education efforts. Look in future issues of the Archaeo-Update for stories written by volunteers.

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BONANZA AREA FIELD TRIP, OCTOBER 4
by Virginia Simmons

Tim Buxton, project leader for the Superfund project in the Bonanza area, will give us a tour of historic sites along Bonanza Creek. He will show many historic photographs, some of his collection having come from the Saguache County Museum and others from the family of Helen Kempner. The tour will begin at 10:00 AM and will last four hours. Meet at the Bonanza Road turnoff from U.S. 285, just north of Villa Grove. Bring lunch and water. Four-wheel-drive vehicles will not be necessary, although high-clearance vehicles will be needed for an optional extension after the main tour concludes at 2:00 PM. Stops will be made at the following sites: Parkville, the tailings dam being used in the cleanup project, Kerber City/Sedgwick townsites, Bonanza Mill Site, Exchequerville, the Cocomongo Mill, and Rawley No. 12. The optional extension of the tour will take a high-clearance route to the Rawley No. 3 and Antora mines, weather permitting. The contact for this field trip is Virginia Simmons, 657-2923.

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