Archaeo-Update Vol. 8, No. 3, June 2003

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The San Luis Valley

ARCHAEO-UPDATE

The Bulletin of the San Luis Valley Archaeological Network

Vol. 8, No. 3 June 2003

Contents:
SLV Archaeological Network Activity Report

Rock Art of Velarde, New Mexico
Trip to San Antone Mountain
Upcoming SLV Archaeological Network Activities 2003
July 15 to July 24. High Country Corridor Survey Great Sand Dunes Monument and Preserve
Saturday, August 23. Cultural resource inventory in the area of Big Horn Creek to the west of Antonito
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 19, 20, and 21. McIntire Ranch Historic Test Excavation
Saturday, October 4. Tour of the Historic Town of San Luis

SLV Archaeological Network Activity Report

Rock Art of Velarde, New Mexico . A group of about 15 people attended the field trip on a beautiful New Mexico spring day to view some of the thousands of prehistoric rock images. As the group snaked through the basalt boulders petroglyphs appeared at every turn. Styles ranged from Archaic, through Basketmaker, to later Pueblo periods. Some were reminiscent of those found in the San Luis Valley while most were types not typically seen here. Some examples follow. For more photos of this trip please visit the Velarde Rock Art Trip page.

Rock art near Velarde, NM
photo courtesy of Marvin Goad

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Trip to San Antone Mountain hosted by Taos BLM Archaeologist Paul Williams. Eighteen people attended this trip led by Paul Williams, BLM Archaeologist for the Taos Field Office. First we visited a stone feature site on the flanks of San Antone Mountain just over the New Mexico border. Here, on a slight rise in the topography, were stone features that may have served as lookouts. E. B. Renaud recorded the site in the 1930s or 1940s and it was recently relocated. Basalt artifacts were also fond on the ridge. We also visited a very interesting site at Punche Lake, a rather large, dry playa lake to the east of US Highway 285. What can be described as tepee rings are found ringing the shore of the lake, which in wet years can be quite large. In the 1980s during a wet year the lake came within about 20 meters from the rings. Another feature type found could best be described as a pier. Rock was used to create a paved surface leading into the lakebed. Our group found several artifacts while at the site including Late Archaic projectile points, pottery, mano and metate fragments, and a finely made scraper that is possibly a Folsom scraper.

Folsom type scraper found at Punche Lake by Lynn Petrillo, a member from Salida shown holding her important find. photo courtsey of Vince Spero, Rio Grande National Forest

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Upcoming SLV Archaeological Network Activities 2003

July 15 to July 24. High Country Corridor Survey Great Sand Dunes Monument and Preserve. There is an opportunity for a few, physically fit volunteers to participate in an archaeological inventory of the Sangre de Cristo high country this July. Work will focus on the Medano and Mosca Creek corridors and upper the Sand Creek drainage. Most of the effort will involve backcountry camping and working at high elevations. It will not be possible for crewmembers to travel on a daily basis. It is hoped that volunteer can work for the entire session. Participants will need to have all of the gear necessary for
working and camping in the high-country safely. Project training will occur on the morning of July 16 prior to going to the field. If you wish to participate please contact Vince Spero at 719-852-6242 at work or at 719-873-5916 at home. E-mail address is vspero@peoplepc.com.

Saturday, August 23. Cultural resource inventory in the area of Big Horn Creek to the west of Antonito. This area has a demonstrated high density of lithic sites with a variety of stone tools. Please call Vince Spero at the e-mail or phone numbers above to sign up for this trip.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 19, 20, and 21. McIntire Ranch Historic Test Excavation. Please see the next Archaeo-Update for more information about the test excavation.

Saturday, October 4. Tour of the Historic Town of San Luis. Please see the next Archaeo-Update for more information about this trip.

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