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The San Luis ValleyARCHAEO-UPDATEThe Bulletin of the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network Vol. 5, No. 4, August 2000 |
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Contents:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEST EXCAVATION AT THE TORREZ TRADING POST,
NEAR LA GARITA
On
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 13,14, and 15 members of the San
Luis Valley Archaeological Network will conduct test excavations at
the site of the Torrez Trading Post, near the town of La Garita. The
landowner, Mike Spearman, has graciously given us permission to investigate
the site. We are now recruiting members to join in and help with the
excavation and in the preparation of the test excavation report this
spring.
Historic sources indicate that in 1858 Crescencio Torrez came to the
lower La Garita Creek where he began the trading post, which he operated
until 1870. Also at the site were a church and a schoolhouse that was
attended by area children. For years the adobe walls of the trading
post were still standing, but they were toppled in the 1970s for an
unknown reason.
The site
looked very promising during a visit several weeks ago. There are clearly
visible historic features including the foundation of the trading post,
and what is thought to be the stone foundation of the church. Numerous
artifacts are being brought to the surface by rodent activity and erosion.
Evidence includes ceramic fragments, stove parts, and bottle glass.
Initially we will complete Colorado Cultural Resource Inventory forms,
prepare a sketch map of features and important surface artifacts, and
make a photographic record. After recording the site test units will
be established and excavated, both inside and immediately outside of
the foundation of the trading post. Artifacts found will be documented
and collected for later analysis this spring when a report will be written.
Access to the Torrez Trading Post from Del Norte: Colorado
Highway 112 northeast 2 ½ miles to the La Garita Road Turn north
and travel 6 ½ miles to La Garita Creek The site is located immediately
adjacent to the east side of the road. We will begin the investigation
at 9:00 AM each day and finish by about 4:00 PM. Volunteers can either
commute each day or there are many nearby primitive camping spots, one
on BLM land immediately adjacent to the site. The La Garita Store is
located a few miles away. To volunteer, or for more information, please
call Vince Spero at 719-873-5916 at home during the evening or at 719-852-6242
at work or email at: vspero@peoplepc.com
PRINCIPLES OF EXCAVATION, PAAC CLASS, RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 8, 9,
& 10
Please note that "Principles of Archaeological Excavation", the next class offering in the Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC) is being rescheduled to December 8, 9, and 10. The class was originally scheduled for October 20, 21, and 22. The class will cover the history of excavation, developments in technology, field procedures, planning and research designs, recording and documentation, lab duties, and report writing. This is a classroom experience and does not involve field training. PAAC classes are offered twice a year in the SLV, in cooperation with the Colorado Historical Society. Taught by Assistant State Archaeologist Kevin Black the classes cover a variety of archaeological topics for an incredibly reasonable $12 each. The classes are excellent. PAAC classes are available throughout the state to anyone over 15. The schedule through December 2000 is available by checking the web site: coloradohistory-oahp.org. For more information on PAAC or to reserve your place in the class call Loretta Mitson at 719- 843-5328 or send an e-mail message to lmmitson@bewellnet.com.
Distribution of Projectile Points by Material Type on the Rio Grande National
Forest
Records
of projectile points found on Rio Grande National Forest administered
land were reviewed in order to help discover if there are distinctions
favoring certain areas for certain types of lithic materials. The six
main types of stone used to make artifacts in the San Luis Valley region
are chert, basalt, obsidian, chalcedony, quartzite, and rhyolite. One
hundred and sixty projectile points, recorded from 1978 to 1997, were
used to view the distribution of material types on the landscape.
The study shows that: Obsidian projectile points are in the greatest
abundance in the Conejos River drainage and in the southern portion of
the Rio Grande drainage. The upper Rio Grande has a significant number
of obsidian points while Saguache Creek exhibits a low frequency of obsidian
points.
Chalcedony points are frequent in the Saguache Creek and the upper
Rio Grande watersheds. The Conejos and Alamosa River watersheds have a
low frequency of chalcedony points.
Quartzite points highly favor the Saguache Creek watershed. Quartzite
points are almost entirely missing from the southern portion of the Rio
Grande drainage.
Rhyolite projectile points favor the upper Rio Grande area.
Basalt point distribution favors the southern portion of the Rio Grande
drainage whereas in the Saguache Creek watershed basalt points are few.
Indications are that the prehistoric groups of people who made the projectile
points used in this preliminary study generally took advantage of relatively
nearby lithic raw material resources as a part of their lithic procurement
strategy: Known sources of raw material are found in the following areas:
basalt is plentiful on San Antone Mountain and on Ute Mountain
in the southern part of the San Luis Valley, obsidian is abundant
in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, chalcedony is found locally
in the Del Norte area and in the La Garita Creek drainage, quartzite
is found near Trickle Mountain in the Saguache Creek drainage, and a source
of rhyolite has been found near Pole Mountain in the upper Rio Grande
above Creede. Local sources of chert are found throughout the area.
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