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The San Luis ValleyARCHAEO-UPDATEThe Bulletin of the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network Vol. 8 No. 1, January 2003
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Article: Prehistoric Archaeological Site Types of the San Luis Valley
Field and Laboratory Photography PAAC Class: Alamosa, Feb. 28, Mar. 1 & 2, 2003
Annual Activity Meeting set for Friday, February 21, 2003
The annual San Luis Valley Archaeological Network 2003 Activity Scheduling Meeting will be held on Friday evening February 21, 2003 at 6:00 PM at the Rio Grande National Forest Supervisors Office. The office, located 2 miles west of Monte Vista on U.S. Highway 160, is on the north side of the highway. Entrance to the meeting will be at the first side door. Attendees will discuss options for the upcoming years activities. Suggestions detailed in last months newsletter included a visit to the Ute Mountain Tribal Park near Cortez, a trip to the Salida area to view rock art and high-altitlude game drives, another visit to the rock art at Velarde, New Mexico, a cultural inventory of the Rito Hondo area to the west of Antonito, and a test excavation of historic deposits at McIntire Ranch site, near Sanford. We hope that we will have a good turnout and that people will come with additional ideas for network activities. For additional information please call Vince Spero at 719-852-6242 or 873-5916 in the evening at home. E-mail address: vspero@peoplepc.com
Prehistoric Archaeological Site Types of the San Luis Valley
Several
prehistoric archaeological site types make up the majority of sites found
in the San Luis Valley and surrounding mountains. Site attributes indicate
a general functional relationship to seasonal hunting and gathering activity,
with most sites associated with Archaic Stage occupation. The cultural
phases and traditions within this period developed between 8,000 years
before present (yBP) until about 1,500 yBP. Later Ute occupation also
focuses on seasonal hunting and gathering pursuits. Some of the site types
found include:
Open Architectural sites, located in open topographical situations
like ridge tops, usually consist of dry-laid stacked stone structures,
fortifications, simple alignments, or piled stone markers (cairns). Living
structures of stone, sometimes clustered to form small seasonal villages,
most likely had upright wooden support poles covered with bark, hide,
or thatch. Natural boulders were sometimes used as backdrops for "D"
shaped stone structures. Smaller associated structures may have served
a storage purpose or may have been used as lookouts. Stone tools, sometimes
including grinding stones, are usually associated with open architectural
sites suggesting that they were main seasonal camps.
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Stacked stone habitation structures. Note location above the Rio Grande and on a mesa top with a wide view of surroundings
Open Camp sites are located in open topographic situations and consist of features or artifacts indicative of domestic activity. They are defined by the presence of grinding stones, ceramics, or hearths. In addition waste flakes and chipped stone tools are usually found, especially tools such as drills, gravers, and awls that are indicative of domestic activity relating to a relatively longer-term occupation.
Open Lithic sites are located in open topographic situations and contain material culture consisting of waste flakes and chipped stone tools, which can include diagnostic projectile points. Evidence of domestic activity is not found and the site is usually considered a shorter-term initial game processing area.
Rock Art sites, including petroglyphs and pictographs, can be found on individual boulders, on cliff faces, or within rock shelters. Abstract figures tend to be older than those realistically depicting animals or humans.
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Examples of Archaic style rock art (left) and a later style depicting a deer or an elk. Both are found along the lower Rio Grande.
Field and Laboratory Photography PAAC Class Scheduled in Alamosa on February 28, March 1 & 2, 2003
The next class in the Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC), entitled "Field and Laboratory Photography", will be offered in Alamosa on February 28, March 1 & 2, 2003. Photography has been long accepted as one method to assist in recording a site. It is also quite valuable in transmitting detailed information about artifacts. The course is concerned with the uses of photography in the field and the laboratory. This is not a technical photography course. The class will cover the role of photography in archaeology, responsibilities of the project photographer, basic equipment in the field and in the laboratory, and basic elements of photography, Cost is $12.00. For more 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 contact: http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/programareas/paac/paacindex.htm
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