Stratigraphy  Cultural Deposits   Research Statement  Field and Lab Methods    Conclusions    References

Radiocarbon and dendrochronological samples will be collected for dating. Other special samples anticipated for collection and analyses include obsidian for hydration and sourcing, pollen and macrobotanical for economic studies, and sediment and soil for paleoenvironment and site formation studies.

Excavations will be limited primarily to 2m x 2m units placed within the grid established in 1999. In the event that human remains are encountered during subsurface explorations, they will be removed by trained archaeologists with student assistance. With regard to section 24-80-1303 of the article 12 of Chapter 131, R.R.S. 1963, as amended through L. 72, the director need not notify the coroner but shall notify the State SHPO.          
 

Artifacts and samples will be processed as much as possible while in the field. Because we are within five miles of the Fort Lewis Campus, it will be possible to retain students as needed in the laboratory under the supervision of a Teaching Assistant to wash and catalog artifacts and samples. Analysis of the artifacts and some of the samples will be conducted by students enrolled in the Archaeological Laboratory Techniques class and more advanced studies will be conducted in the Archaeological Laboratory Techniques class. Both classes are offered each year during the fall semester. Special samples that we are unable to process at Fort Lewis College will be  submitted to the proper analysts. In the spirit of NAGPRA, the human remains will be analyzed and the remains, along with the associated grave goods, will be transferred to the State of Colorado for eventual repatriation.

The analysis of samples and artifacts will be integrated into the fall Laboratory Classes and individual student-constructed intern programs, including data basing information, working on future State Historical Fund applications, material culture analyses, computer simulation with ArcView (GIS), AutoCad and Surfer software programs, in addition to completing  research papers, and statistical analysis. Ultimately this information will be made available when appropriate, to the public through professional reports, public presentations and the Internet.

Artifacts are Photographed                                              
                                                                          

                                                                                                                          A student works with AutoCAD