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The San Luis ValleyARCHAEO-UPDATEThe Bulletin of the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network Vol. 4, No. 1, February 1999 |
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Contents:
COLORADO ARCHAEOLOGY
AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEK EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1999
Colorado Archeology and Historic Preservation Week is scheduled for the week of May 8 to May 16,1999. The celebration is highlighted by statewide events, ranging from archaeological site tours and lectures to children's exhibits, A Colorado Archaeology and Historic Preservation Week event will be held locally at the Rio Grande County Museum & Cultural Center in Del Norte on Saturday, May 8, 1999 at 7:30 PM. The event will feature Dennis Slifer of Sante Fe, the author of "Signs; Rock Art of the Upper Rio Grande". Mr. Slifer is researching possible migration routes and contacts between people along the Rio Grande corridor by comparing rock art styles from the San Luis Valley south to El Paso, Texas. The presentation will include slides of rock art and information pertaining to the research effort. Archaeology and Historic Preservation Week is an opportunity for the public to learn about Colorado's past and efforts to preserve it. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the programs that are being held throughout the state to experience Colorado's rich historic and prehistoric past. For more information on other events held in the state during this week please call Todd McMahon at the Colorado Historical Society at 303-866-4607.
TRIP TO KING'S TURQUOISE MINE & KIOWA HILL
The San Luis Valley Archaeological Network is sponsoring a field trip to several sites in southern Conejos County, Mr. Bill King has graciously agreed to tour members through the King's Manassa Turquoise Mine and tell the history and legends of these prehistoric diggings. In Colorado turquoise was primarily found in the same mountainous areas favored by gold and silver miners during the 1880s. Places like King's Manassa, Villa Grove, Cripple Creek, and Leadville produced respectable amounts of gem quality turquoise.
Following the visit to the turquoise mine, Virginia Simmons will lead a tour to Kiowa Hill, the site of a Ute and Kiowa confrontation in the 1850s. Evidence at the site includes the remains of stone walls, possibly built as a defensive position. If time permits rock art of the area may also be visited. Weather permitting, meet at Mannasa Town Park at 12:30 PM on Saturday, April 17. Mark your calendar now as there will not be another newsletter prior to this field trip. For more information please call Loretta Mitson at 843-5328 or 589-6740.
SIGN UP NOW FOR ROCK ART STUDIES PAAC COURSE
Rock
Art Studies, the next course in the Program for Avocational Archaeological
Certification taught by Kevin Black, Assistant State Archaeologist, will
be Offered in Alamosa from April 9 to 11. This course provides a general
overview of the field of rock art, it offers information on a variety
of rock art recording techniques, current research in conservation and
interpretation of rock imagery, and a synopsis of styles documented in
Colorado. The most recent addition to PAAC, this course can be applied
toward the requirements of an independent study certificate within the
Specialty Surveyor module. It will be of value to all those interested
in broadening their knowledge of Colorado's cultural heritage.
Enrollment is limited to 25 people and the class is filling up FAST. To
reserve your place send a check for $12 to: SLV Archaeological Network,
Box 231, Mannasa CO 81141 as soon as possible. For more information call
Loretta Mitson at 843-5328 or 589-6740.
CRANE FESTIVAL PRESENTATION TO EXPLORE ANIMAL & PLANT ROCK ART FIGURES
OF THE SLV
A slide presentation detailing "Animal and Plant Rock Art Depictions of the San Luis Valley" will be a part of the Monte Vista Crane Festival activities. The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at 9:30 AM at the Monte Vista Middle School on Sherman Avenue near Home Lake, Vince Spero, Archaeologist for the San Juan/Rio Grande National Forest will discuss regional attributes of animal figures from various places in the area. The "Big Bird Site", located in a rock shelter near Del Norte, will be among the sites featured. The main image at the site is a 6 foot X 1.5 foot figure which resembles a bird in flight, possibly a crane. Attend the presentation and stay for Crane Festival activities at the Ski-High Stampede Grounds.
STATUS OF SUMMER
1999 TEST EXCAVATION NEAR COCHETOPA PASS
On
June 10, 11, and 12, 1999 test excavations will be undertaken at the
site of a concentration of prehistoric, dry-laid, stone structures overlooking
Saguache Creek at the base of Cochetopa Pass. The project is sponsored
by the Rio Grande National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management San
Luis Resource Area, and the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network.
Volunteers from the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network will assist
in mapping stone structures, finding and mapping artifacts, and helping
to test excavate cultural deposits within the stone structures. This
is an opportunity for those who have taken the PAAC courses to gain
experience in an archaeological investigation. Participants of the several
PAAC classes we have hosted who would like to help in this project should
call Vince Spero at 852-6242 (work) or 8735916 (home) for more information.
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