2016-10-20_PERMIT FILE - C1981035A (18)

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northern site boundary, although no artifacts or other cultural materials were observed north of the driveway. The site may continue northwest of Sand Court Road, although another private residence occurs there and SEAS did not have permission to enter that property. The general vicinity was likely heavily grazed during the historic and modern periods, prior to the creation of the residential subdivision. The known site area measures 140 in north/south by 136 m east/west with an area of 11,832 mz or 2.92 acres (1.18 ha). Site 5LP 11050 consists of an artifact scatter with features of Ancestral Pueblo, Basketmaker III period (ca. AD 600-750) cultural affiliation (Figures 5.1 to 5.4). The site consists of two artifact concentration areas, three features and a widespread, low to moderate density artifact scatter. Artifact Concentration 1 (AC 1) measures 12 by 4 m and contains oxidized sandstone pieces throughout as well as 40+ flakes and Feature 2. AC 2 measures approximately 25 by 30 m and encompasses 200+ artifacts including numerous tools and Feature 3. Feature 1 consists of a 4 m diameter area concentration of oxidized and fire reddened sandstone slab pieces in an ashy matrix and likely represents a thermal feature or cleanout deposit(s). Feature 2 consists of a 210 by 110 cm concentration of fire -reddened sandstone and ashy soil and likely represents a thermal feature or cleanout deposit. Feature 3 consists of a 40 by 20 cm dark ash stain and may represent a hearth or small exposed portion of a mostly buried midden deposit given the high density of artifacts in the surrounding area. The total site artifact assemblage consists of over 500 artifacts, primarily lithic artifacts and tools with a few pottery sherds. Field analysis included all of the ceramics observed on the ground surface and a representative sample of 132 flaked lithic artifacts and tools. Ground stone artifacts analyzed include one indeterminate interior fragment of a unifacial, pecked metate and one end fragment of a bifacial, unmodified mano (Tables 5.2 and 5.3). The analyzed flaked lithic sample included three primary core flakes, 13 secondary core flakes, 85 tertiary core flakes, four pressure flakes, 11 biface reduction flakes, five indeterminate flake fragments, and 13 tools. These tools included three projectile points, three core/hammerstones, one core, two scrapers, one hammestone, one chopper, and two biface tips. More than 30 cores and core/hammerstones, 15+ scrapers, 5+ choppers, 20+ utilized/modified flakes, and 20 mano fragments were observed but were not included in the sample. The ceramic assemblage consists of five Chapin Gray jar body sherds (ca. AD 600-750) and two probable Abajo B/O bowl body sherds (ca. AD 700-800). The artifact assemblage, which shows a very high relative proportion of tools to flaked lithic debitage, suggests intensive acquisition and processing of wild flora and fauna resources occurred at the site, which likely represents a major seasonal encampment. Most of the tools show heavy use, suggesting long-term use of the site area. The presence of Chapin Gray and Abajo B/O sherds indicates the site dates to the Basketmaker III period (ca. A.D. 600 to 750). &nifi�cance: Site 5LP 11050 is recommended NRNP -eligible under Criterion D. The three features with datable carbon remains associated with a widespread and diverse artifact assemblage offers unique data potential given the extraordinary number of tools. Further investigation of the site could shed light on the relative significance of wild plant and animal foods during the Basketmaker III period. The site likely contains information important to understanding Basketmaker III lifeways including settlement and abandonment patterns, subsistence and land use systems, trade networks, cultural identity, diachronic/synchronic variation, and/or chronological refinement among other research domains. An Intensive CRI for GCC Energy's Proposed Groundwater Monitoring Wells on State and Private Lands in La Plata County, CO SEAS 16-098 October 2016 20