WSP08091

• File Number: 8147
• Description: Gunnison-Arkansas Project
• State: CO
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 6/1/1948
• Author: US DoI BoR
• Title: Interim Report Gunnison-Arkansas Project Colorado Appendix L Recreation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The surve~,' in the Arkansas drainage may possibly find evidence \lhich

would clarify the chronological and geographic relationships of these

two very early cultures,

Some material has been found on a brief preliminary survey

of the reservoir sites in the interior of the mountain region, prin-

cipally west of the Continental Divide. This reconnaissance covered

the Tenmile, Snake, Blue, aJpire, Pando, Ruedi, Ilaterton, Two Forks,

Viilliams No. 1 and No, 2, and Piney Reservoirs of the Blue-South

Flatte l'roject. The material from these areas consisted mostly of

chipped stone and an occasional projectile point. All sites appeared
to be camp sites and/or work shops. Some of this material is probably

historic Ute, as the Ute Indians have ranged throughout the region in

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hist~ric times, Other of the sites are undoubtedly prehistoric. But

whether they represent prehistoric Ute Indians or Indians with some

other cultural affiliation cannot be determined at this time. Some

of the stonework found on these sites resembles that found on the

plains a few miles to the east. Further surveying in this intra-

montane region will perhaps solve these problems.

s;u.-nmary. The evidence insofar as it is kno,m at present indi-

cates that there were at least four distinct Indian occupations

within the areas to be inundated by the reservoirs under consider-

ation: First, the early and late historic sites representing the

Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute. Second, a sedentary culture resenID-

ling the Hains \'Ioodland Culture which will extend back perhaps as

far as 1000 A.D.

Third, ,an, agriculturiH _group living largely ,,in , caves

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