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UPDATE ON PAAC CLASSES

The Colorado Archaeological Society, in cooperation with the SLV Archaeological Network, is offering a series of courses in it's Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification right here in the San Luis Valley. These courses are university caliber in their scope and detail and Kevin Black, Assistant State Archaeologist of Colorado, is an informative and thorough instructor.
Of the eleven students attending the October 17 "Basic Site Surveying Techniques" class, seven completed the test: Jon Bennett, Stuart Bryan, Holly Felmlee, Joanne Ford, Justin Mock, Loretta Mitson, and Marian Seegrist. Next offering in the series will be "Prehistoric Lithic Description and Analysts." If you have ever wondered how old that projectile point that you discovered is and what culture it represents, then this is the class for you, The upcoming class will be offered in Alamosa on May 1 to 3, 1998. Cost is $12. Class size is limited; to reserve your place please call Loretta Mitson at 843-5328 or 589-6740. - L. Mitson

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HISTORIC NOMINATION SUCCESSFUL

We have been notified that on December 10th La Capilla de San Antonio de Padua, an adobe chapel at Lasouses, was listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, in recognition of its contributions to the heritage to the State of Colorado. Members who worked on the successful nomination of this property were Virginia Simmons, coordinator, Bill & Jan Bennett, and Loretta Mitson. --Virginia Simmons

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NOVEMBER FIELD TRIP REPORT

On November 22 nine people followed leader Ken Frye over the hills of Penitente Canyon in search of stone structures and artifacts, which Ken theorizes, might be several thousand years old. The stone foundations could be the remains of habitation structures which probably had wooden supports. Hides were most-likely stretched over the supports, or branches and brush may also have been used to form the structure. Some of these structures may be attributed to Late Archaic Period (2,000 B.C. to 500 A.D.) hunters and gatherers. Jan Bennett, will formally record some of these for completion of PAAC requirements. Weather and scenery were beautiful.
Thanks, Ken! -- Virginia Simmons

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PRESERVATION WEEK GRANTS AVAILABLE

Mark your calendars for May 9 to 17, 1998 as the Colorado Historical Society invites interested historic preservation organizations and archaeological groups to celebrate Archaeology and Historic Preservation Week. This week is used to highlight special projects and educational events from local historic and archaeological organizations in Colorado. Last year over 60 events were held throughout the state. They ranged from a double-decker bus tour to lectures on the archaeology of a particular region or topic.
For 1998, grants of up to $200 will be made to organizations needing financial assistance to hold an event. The grant money can be used to rent space, to advertisements, to purchase materials, etc. Early planning for the event is strongly encouraged.
All organizations Interested in obtaining grant money should complete an application form which can be obtained from the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (303) 866-3395. The deadline for the return of the grant application is February 20, 1998. Anyone with ideas about a possible proposal should call Vince Spero at 719-873-5916 or 852-6242 or write to Vince at 28 Wendar Drive, South Fork CO 81154. We will talk about this at our business meeting on January 24 in Monte Vista.

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AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES AND BUSINESS MEETING, JANUARY 24, 1998

Help chase away the midwinter doldrums by getting together for viewing a video and a SLV Archaeological Network business meeting on Saturday, January 24, at 1 PM, at the San Juan/Rio Grande National Forest Supervisors Office, 2 miles west of Monte Vista.
The featured film, Ishi, the Lost Yaki (60 minutes), chronicles how anthropological studies were carried out after Ishi, an American Indian, walked out of hiding in California in 1911. Ishi's story also is an inspiration, as it shows how an American Indian who had lost all his people and who had lived in total isolation for 40 years came out whole, psychologically and physically.
A business meeting to discuss several Items of importance will follow until about 2:30 PM.

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AWARD AVAILABLE FOR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT

The San Luis Valley Archaeological Network has announced that it will make an award of $50.00 for a qualifying project related to archaeology in the 1998 SLV Science Fair. The 1998 SLV Science Fair Archaeological Award will be given to the person with the best project pertaining to archeology or other areas of science related to archaeology. We have summarized a list of suggestions and ideas (below) from information compiled from the Internet, the Anasazi Heritage Center, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, the Colorado Historical Society and other sources for interested students to consider.

Some suggestions for projects are:

• 1. To study local projectile point collections, plot their locations on maps, and determine what age and culture       they are from, Statements about the distribution of prehistoric cultures in the SLV could then be made.
• 2. The identification of what plants were used by American Indian people for food (both grown and wild) and       what were other uses of plants.
• 3. The study of area rock art to determine how American Indians lived and what their food sources may have       been based on the plants and animals depicted.
• 4. The determination of how different types of rock art were created ? This may involve carving rock with
      different implements or painting with different natural types of paint.
• 5. To determine how peoples trash can tell us about the way they lived.
• 6. To illustrate how stone tools and other artifacts were made.
• 7. How does the environment effect the way people lived ?
• 8. To illustrate how historical archaeology can tell us about the way people lived.

Since this is generally new subject matter to many students at the Science Fair, it appears that some persuasion and guidance may be necessary to get students interested in doing an archaeological project. Therefore, please help spread the word to students and teachers throughout the SLV about the award, since we have only had a minimal amount of interest so far. There is a notebook of information housed at the Sun Juan/Rio Grande National Forest Supervisors Office, 2 miles west of Monte Vista, for students and/or parents to view if they want to. Please call Vince Spero or Ken Frye at 852-6242 to make an appointment, -- Ken Frye

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BACKGROUND ARCHEOLOGY OF THE SLV:
TYPES OF PROJECTILE POINTS FOUND

In a study by Vince Spero, done in 1978, about 150 projectile points found on the Rio Grande National Forest were grouped according to stylistic similarities such as shape of base (ex, concave or convex base), shape of shoulder (ex. oblique or abrupt angle) notching position (ex. side or corner notched), and treatment of blade edge (ex. serrated or not serrated). These groups were then compared to known projectile point types in the region in order to gain a general estimate of age and cultural affiliation. The following point types were represented in the collection:

1. Stemmed/Concave Base points appear to relate to the San Jose culture dating between and 2,800 years BP (before present).
2. Shallow Lateral Notched/Concave Base points are thought to also relate to the San Jose culture.
3. Stemmed/Notched points probably relate to the broad Archaic cultures of the SW, with dates ranging from 5,000 - 3,000 years BP.
4. Concave Base/Lateral Notches possibly relate to the Later Archaic Period, from 3,000 to 2,000 years BP, with a tie to the pre-ceramic cultures of the SW.
5. Abrupt Shoulder/Small Notches points may relate to the Basketmaker II period, with dates ranging from 1,800 to 1,200 years BP.
6. Oblique Shoulder/Corner Notches May be related to the Pueblo I, Pueblo II, and the Pueblo III culture groups with dates ranging from 1,200 to 700 years BP.

The above indicates the area of the Rio Grande National Forest was utilized from about 5,000 years BP to about 700 years BP by people related to the Middle Archaic, the Late Archaic, the Basketmaker, and by people related to the various stages of Pueblo culture.

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