PREHISTORIC CERAMIC DESCRIPTION & ANALYSIS PAAC CLASS
SCHEDULED IN ALAMOSA ON APRIL 6 TO 8, 2001

The next class in the Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC), entitled "Prehistoric Ceramic Description & Analysis", will be offered in Alamosa from April 6 to 8, 2001. The class will cover technology, methods, physical and stylistic analysis, and characteristics of Colorado ceramics. Cost is $12. For information or to sign up for the class please call Loretta Mitson at 719-843-5328 or e-mail her at lmmitson@bewellnet.com. For more information about statewide PAAC offerings.

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EXPANDED RESULTS OF RIO GRANDE HOTEL TEST EXCAVATION

In 1999 members of the SLV Archaeological Network helped in the excavation of historic archaeological deposits associated with Creede's Rio Grande Hotel, dating from 1892. The project was done in conjunction with the Mineral County/Creede Repertory Theater Rio Grande Hotel Restoration Project. According to background information the Rio Grande Hotel, constructed in 1892, originally served personnel of the D&RGW railroad and transient miners in the then booming silver mining town of Creede. Later the Rio Grande Hotel was sold and became a personal residence of the Motz and Wheeler families of Creede. The hotel is among only a few wooden structures that survived the devastating Creede fire of June 1892.

Many artifacts unearthed during the give a picture of life in Creede's early days and later in time until approximately 1935. Artifacts from the deepest levels of the excavation, from 40 cm to 60 cm below present ground surface, probably relate to the earliest occupation when the building served as a boardinghouse for railroad employees and miners. Medicinal cure bottles found included a "Warner's Safe Kidney & Liver Cure" bottle, a "Paine's Celery Compound" bottle, a "Lactopeptine, New York Pharmacal Association" bottle, and an "Astask's Magnetic Ointment" bottle. An ornate six-sided bottle that may have been used as a whiskey flask was found at a depth of 46 cm below the present ground surface. The 30 cm to 40 cm level also contained medicinal bottles including a "Healy & Bigelow's Kickapoo Indian Oil" bottle and a "Great Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root Kidney, Liver, & Bladder Cure" bottle. Artifacts from the 20.0 cm to 30.0 cm below present ground surface level were also indicative of the operation of the boardinghouse with the remains of sawn bone ends and fruit pits being plentiful. Artifacts from the upper level of the excavation (1 cm to 20 cm below present ground surface) probably reflect the latter time period. Buttons, costume jewelry bracelet fragments, and a cuff link are indicative of domestic adornment. Other artifacts included several fragments of decorative porcelain and decorative bowl fragments and a Rodger's Nickel Silver serving spoon also indicative of family domestic life. A brass decorative dresser handle that may have been used in the family bedroom also may relate to this domestic occupation. Surface artifacts also appear to reflect the latter time periods of Rio Grande Hotel occupation. Artifacts such as a Kewpee Doll fragment, dating as early as 1912, and a ceramic doll leg are consistent with domestic family occupation.

Artifacts found paint a picture of a miner lifestyle of simply prepared meals and the use of medicinal cures. Whiskey bottles dating to this time period suggest that patrons of the hotel tended to drink to some degree. Later occupation by the Motz and Wheeler families suggest a more settled lifestyle as evidenced by jewelry, ornate dinner ware, decorative bowls, silver service, and ceramic children's toys. Artifactual remains suggest a change in supply in Creede during the time period represented by the occupation of the Rio Grande Hotel. Early supply channels probably provided basic food supplies and domestic use items, including meat and fruit, to miners who were the main residents of the town of Creede during the initial mining boom. A supply of medicinal cures and whiskey is indicated during this time period. Remains suggest a line of supply based in the United States. Later, during the occupation by the Motz and Wheeler families, material culture items reflect an expanded trading system, sometimes involving imported items and items with a demonstrated decorative function. Because the train line was present during both time periods it is assumed that most supplies were obtained by rail.

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