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• November 27, 1996 <br />addressee <br />Deaz _, <br />We have been conducting azchaeological investigations for a proposed surface and subsurface coal <br />mine along the Purgatoire River in Las Animas County, west of Trinidad, Colorado. We have <br />inventoried approximately 1880 acres and found 96 prehistoric sites. Most of the sites consist <br />of scatters of flintknapping debris, chipped stone tools, and grinding stones. At present, we have <br />little information on the ages of these sites, although we suspect that few aze older than 4000 to <br />5000 yeazs. Some may represent Native American occupation after European contact, but there <br />aze no artifacts present to substantiate this and no means for us to determine a tribal affiliation. <br />[t appeazs that the azea of the mine was the location of widespread collection and processing of <br />either pinon nuts, acorns, or both. We have also found one site that appeazs to be typical of sites <br />that have been identified elsewhere as eagle traps or vision quests. This site consists of a single, <br />small, circulaz arrangement of stones that would have formed a small low enclosure, big enough <br />for one person to occupy. There aze no other artifacts or cultural materials at this spot, and it <br />is located on the point of a high ridge with good view of much of the neazby terrain. The <br />proposed mining operation, as currently planned, will remove many of these sites, including the <br />possible eagle trap or vision quest. <br />• For these reasons, we aze offering you the opportunity to contribute to the management decisions <br />that will be made concerning these sites and their protection, as mandated by the National <br />Historic Preservation Act. If you would like additional information about the project and the <br />sites, or if you have concerns or would like to be fitrt}ter involved, please contact myself or Mike <br />Metcalf as soon as possible. We can be reached at 970 328-6244, or at the Eagle, Colorado, <br />address listed below. We look forwazd to hearing from you. <br />Thank you very much, <br />signed <br />Anne McKibbin <br />Senior Staff Archaeologist <br />• <br />