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Potential diagnostics of the Ute occupation in northwestern Colorado are Desert Side - <br />notched variants with basal notches, or small side -notched points having a concave base, and <br />the narrow unnotched points referred to as Cottonwood Triangular. Two single component <br />sites found in west -central Colorado and east -central Utah containing these point types have <br />been dated. Site 42GR2236, an open campsite located near Moab, yielded a date of ca AD <br />1280 (Reed 1990). Desert Side -notched and Cottonwood projectile points were also found at <br />the Pioneer Point Site located in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, Uncompahgre <br />Brownware ceramics (micaceous and non -micaceous tempered) were also recovered and <br />dated. Over seven hundred sherds were recovered. These were associated with features <br />dating ca. AD 1476, 474±70 BP, and AD 1466, 484±80 BP (Dial 1989:19). Metal points were a <br />fairly recent addition to the projectile types and probably do not date earlier than the 1800's. <br />Campsites that the Utes occupied within the past 100 to 200 years may have remains <br />of small tepees and wickiups. A more permanent cultural manifestation of the Utes is their <br />rock art, which adorns many canyon walls, caves and boulders in the region. Additional <br />discussion of the Historic Ute occupation of the region is found in the following section. <br />Historic Background <br />The following section provides background information on the early Euro -American <br />exploration and settlement of the area. This includes details concerning the early explorers, <br />fur trappers, and settlers of the region. <br />Historic Aboriginal Habitation <br />Northwestern Colorado was used by various Native American groups in the historic <br />period. The Red Desert, Laramie Plains, North Park, and the plains of the east via Middle <br />and South Parks provided access to various native groups. The presence of Ute Tribes in <br />northwestern Colorado is well documented. "The Ute formerly occupied the entire central <br />and western portion of Colorado." (Swanton 1953:372). The Bannock and Shoshoni roamed <br />over the extreme northwestern corner of the state (ibid.:370). John Wesley Powell notes the <br />presence of Utes west of the Green River as well, in the Uintas (Powell 1961). <br />The animosity between the Coloradoans and the Utes accelerated to such an extent <br />that the Utes rose up against Agent Meeker and the detachment of cavalry sent to subdue <br />them; the outcry against the Utes was terrible indeed. They were led by Major Thomas <br />Thornburgh from Fort Steele in Wyoming. The White River Utes and US Army fought an <br />engagement referred to as the Battle of Milk Creek. Major Thornburgh was killed by the <br />Utes during the battle. This battle resulted in the forced removal of the White River Utes and <br />the Uncompahgre Utes from Colorado, and the reduction in the Southern Ute bands' land <br />holdings within Colorado. It was the final defeat of the Utes in Colorado and opened <br />millions of new acreage to white settlement by 1881. <br />10 <br />