The San Luis Valley

ARCHAEO-UPDATE

The Bulletin of the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network

Vol. 10, No. 1, February 2005

Thanks to the hard work of SLV Archaeological Network member Marvin Goad we now have a well designed website detailing local and statewide archaeological activities and conferences, articles pertaining to San Luis Valley archaeology, an interactive San Luis Valley rock art map, a section about the Black Mountain Folsom site, links to learn more about archaeology, and many other features. This and future issues of the Archaeo-Update will be posted to the web-site. We are asking those of you who would rather access the Archaeo-Update on the website instead of by mail to please e-mail Loretta Mitson at mitson53@yahoo.com to let her know in order for us to save postage costs. Please access the website, you are sure to enjoy it.

SAN LUIS VALLEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL NETWORK 2005 FIELD ACTIVITIES

Summer and fall 2005 field trips and archaeological activities have yet to be determined. The list will be finalized for the next Archaeo-Update in April and will also be posted on the web-site as soon as we can. Suggestions so far include; a trip to petrified wood raw material sources near Del Norte and La Garita, a return to the Punche Valley area in the southern part of the valley to conduct an archaeological inventory, visits to local rock image sites, a possible trip to archaeological sites near Aztec, New Mexico, a trip to Alkali Springs, near Saguache, and a trip to view the Trickle Mountain quartzite site and a stone structure village. If you have any other suggestions on trips and activities please call or e-mail Vince Spero at 719-852-6242 or vspero@peoplepc.com.

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COLORADO ROCK ART ASSOCIATION (CAS) MEETING, ON MAY 7 IN NORWOOD

This year's Colorado Rock Association meeting, hosted by the Montrose Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society, will be held in the town of Norwood on May 7 & 8 at the Norwood Community Center. Saturday is reserved for papers and on Sunday there will be field trips to area rock art sites. If you are interested in attending please call Ken Frye at 719-852-6233 or contact him by e-mail at kfrye@fs.fed.us.

PROGRAM FOR AVOCATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL CERTIFICATION (PAAC)
COLORADO ARCHAEOLOGY CLASS, BASIC SITE SURVEYING,
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 29 & 30.

The Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC) is designed to be a mutually beneficial educational program for avocational and professional archaeologists. It was established in 1978 by the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) and the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado. It provides a means for citizens of Colorado to obtain formally recognized levels of expertise outside of an academic degree program. The SLV Archaeological Network sponsors PAAC classes each spring and fall. The Basic Site Surveying Techniques course includes topics such as the history of archaeological survey, site identification, reading topographic maps, and field procedures. At least one half day will be spent in the field putting to use the information discussed in class. The course is a necessity for anyone anticipating an active role in archaeological field work. The class will be held at the Alamosa County Courthouse Conference Room. Cost is a mere $12. Please contact Loretta Mitson at 719-843-5328 or by e-mail at mitson53@yahoo.com to register for the course or for further information.

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PAAC SUMMER TRAINING SURVEY AT PIKE'S STOCKADE, JUNE 18 TO 25, 2005

Last years PAAC Summer Training Survey was conducted in the Pike's Stockade area of the San Luis Valley, south of Alamosa. Sixteen volunteers helped record a total of twenty archaeological sites ranging in age from perhaps 8,000 years ago to the early 20th century. The survey will resume in the same area this summer from June 15 to 25, 2005. Because the training site is in a remote location lacking facilities of any sort, and will involve hiking across somewhat rugged terrain, prospective participants must be in reasonably good physical condition. Volunteers must supply their own transportation, room and board, daypack and personal gear such as canteens, but there is no fee for participation. The Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado (OSAC) supplies all surveying, recording and mapping equipment as well as the professional archaeologist(s) who supervises the volunteers. Prospective participants must submit a signed PAAC application form, and completion of both the Basic Site Surveying Techniques and Prehistoric Lithics Description & Analysis classes is highly recommended prior to field training. Applicants for the survey should identify on which specific dates they prefer to participate (two days minimum) and provide their mailing address, phone/fax, and e-mail address to Kevin Black, Assistant State Archaeologist at the Colorado Historical Society by mail (1300 Broadway, Denver CO 80203), phone (303.866.4671), FAX (303.866.2711) or e-mail kevin.black@chs.state.co.us

RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD IN ALAMOSA IN OCTOBER 2005

A research symposium "From Subsistence to Supermarket: Humans and Their Habitat in the San Luis Valley" in association with the 2005 Colorado Archaeological Society Annual Meeting will be held in Alamosa from October 7 to 9, 2005. The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve will host the symposium to be held at Adams State College. A variety of subjects will be presented including: geology in relation to SLV archaeology, biology, ethnohistory, early historic settlement, rock art of the San Luis Valley, and reports on recent archaeological investigation at the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. There also will be several field trips to choose from. More information will be forthcoming on this event. San Luis Valley Archaeological Network members will have an opportunity to help with various aspects of the symposium. The new website http://www.slvarchaeo.net will have updates, including abstracts of papers to be presented, soon.

This page is available in Word format: archup0105.doc

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