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The San Luis ValleyARCHAEO-UPDATEThe Bulletin of the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network Vol. 6, No. 5, December 2001 |
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Contents:
CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MCINTIRE RANCH ADOBE COMPLETED
PAAC ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATING METHODS CLASS
HISTORY OF STREAMFLOW EXPERIMENT STATION AT WAGON WHEEL GAP
SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY, MARCH 20 TO 24, 2002
SLV ARCHAEOLOGICAL
NETWORK PROGRAM PLANNING MEETING
The annual San Luis Valley Archaeological Network activity planning meeting will be held on Friday evening, February 22, 2002 at 6:00 PM at the Rio Grande National Forest Supervisors Office in Monte Vista. The office is located 1.8 miles west of Monte Vista on the north side of US Highway 160. Locations and dates for field trips, archaeological investigations, and other activities for the upcoming spring, summer, and fall will be determined at the meeting. Ideas presently being considered include a trip to the Ute Mountain Tribal Park near Cortez and a guided tour of Chimney Rock Archaeological Area near Pagosa Springs. Ideas for local activities include field trips to the prehistoric basalt quarries on San Antone Mountain to the south of Antonito, a trip to the Sentinel Mountain and Lost Lake stone fortification sites near South Fork, viewing historic remains at the Wagon Wheel Gap Watershed Experiment Station, a Barlow and Sanderson and Brewster Stage Line tour in the mountains to the west of Creede, and possibly a trip to the Cantonment Creek military campsite near Saguache. Another recommended activity is attendance of this year's annual Colorado Archeological Society Encampment in the Gunnison area over the July 4th weekend. Tours of area prehistoric sites will be a big part of the festivities. Please plan to attend the meeting in February to help decide on this years activities. If you cannot attend the meeting and have suggestions for trips or activities please contact Vince Spero at: 719-873-5916 or 852-6242. You may also write Vince Spero at 28 Wendar Drive, South Fork, CO 81154, or make an e-mail contact at vspero@amigo.net.
CONDITION ASSESSMENT
OF MCINTIRE RANCH ADOBE COMPLETED
The impressive adobe ruin of the ranch house of former Colorado governor Albert W. McIntire has had a condition assessment done in order to determine measures needed to help stabilize or preserve the historically significant building built in 1880. The dwelling is located on the edge of McIntire Spring, several miles from the town of Sanford in the southern San Luis Valley. Fieldwork, done by Granda Historic Preservation Specialists and the Museum of the Mountain West under contract with the Bureau of Land Management, included recording of the site on Colorado Cultural Resource Survey forms, creation of a comprehensive site plan, photographic documentation, identification of architecturally significant elements, and development of a conservation and treatment plan. Several associated features, including a rock springhouse and the dump area with a significant accumulation of artifacts, were identified during the inventory. One of the resultant recommendations was to test excavate within the confines of the historic dump in order to help determine lifeways at the ranch in the 1880s. This may be a possible activity the SLV Archaeological Network could help on in the future.
PAAC ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DATING METHODS CLASS
The San Luis Valley Archaeological Network in conjunction with the Colorado Historical Society sponsored a class entitled "Archaeological Dating Methods" as a part of its ongoing Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC). As usual there was a good showing with eighteen SLV Archaeological Network members attending the three-day class. The next class in Alamosa, to be held in April 2002, will be Introduction to Laboratory Techniques. Look for details in upcoming Archaeo-Updates. If you are willing to travel PAAC training is also available in several other Colorado cities including: Historical Archaeology in Gunnison from February 8 to 11, Ceramics Description & Analysis in Montrose from April 5 to 8, and Introduction to Archaeology. CAS, and PAAC in Cortex on April 28. For more information on future PAAC class offerings please call Loretta Mitson at 843-0190 or 843-5328. You may also e-mail Loretta at lmmitson@bewellnet.com
HISTORY OF STREAMFLOW
EXPERIMENT STATION AT WAGON WHEEL GAP
One of the SLV's little known historic sites, which we hope to visit this summer, is the Streamflow Experiment Station at Wagon Wheel Gap. Here the Forest Service and the Weather Bureau performed an experiment, conducted from 1909 to 1926, to determine the effects of forest cover on stream flow and erosion. This was the first experiment of its kind in the U.S. Facilities associated with the experiment included a headquarters, roads, two stream gages and weirs, and associated weather stations. The building of cabins for living and office quarters, the installation of meteorological instruments, and the construction of two dams were completed in 1910. Remains of these features, along with historic dump areas with evidence of both domestic and work activity, can still be seen. Conditions at the site were not easy for the employees who had to complete daily measurement tasks. They were issued mules for the 3-mile trip to Wagon Wheel Gap to get mail and supplies. Several unfortunate incidents left several people dead, including children who contracted infections, a suicide, and worker killed in an avalanche:' A couple of gravesites can be found near the headquarters to attest to the harsh conditions.
SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL
MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY
DENVER, COLORADO, MARCH 20 TO 24, 2002
The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) is an international organization dedicated to the research, interpretation, and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Americas. With more than 6,600 members, the society represents professional, student, and avocational archaeologists working in a variety of settings including government agencies, colleges and universities, museums, and the private sector. This year's SAA Annual Meeting will be held in downtown Denver at the Adams Mark Hotel from March 20 to March 24, 2002. The focus of the meeting is the presentation of current research papers by archaeologists from all over America. In addition there are archaeological exhibits and also a vast collection of books and other items for sale. Please contact Vince Spero at 719-852-6242 (work), 719-873-5916 (home), or by e-mail at vspero@amigo.net in the beginning of February for specific information.
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