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COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Rev. 9/98 <br />Page 5 of 1.3 <br />1. Resource Number: 5FN2221 <br />2. Temporary Resource Number: MM7094 <br />Historic Archaeological Component OAHP1402 <br />Does this form pertain to the site in general? yes X no _ <br />OR <br />a particular feature/structure (please note feature/structure number): _ <br />3. Site/Feature Type: Historic Rock Shelter <br />4. General Site/Feature Description: This site is a sheltered camp that is protected to the north south and <br />east by a small alcove/rock overhang It is located lust below the crest of anortheast-trending ridge, <br />within the sandstone cliff south of Chandler Creek and a few miles southeast of Canon City. Sediment <br />within the shelter is very thin about five cm and composed entirely of decayed sandstone.. On the slopes <br />outside the shelter the sediments are colluvial sand with gravels and cobbles around the boulders and <br />other large rocks spalled from the cliff face Vegetation consists of an open pinyon/juniper woodland with <br />mountain mahogany oakbrush some sagebrush cholla cactus prickly pear cactus bunch grasses, and <br />fortis forming the understory Ground visibility outside the shelter is about 30%. The site has been <br />impacted largely by visiting animals with some evidence of wind erosion Water erosion is minimal. The <br />site is located within the subsidence zone and is endangered by the potential for the cliff face to collapse <br />as a result of subsidence __ <br />The sheltered camp is about three meters up the side of the northwest facing cliff and tucked into a <br />small cave that measures 3 0 m by 4 5 m in size The opening is to the west. The cave is semi-circular <br />in shape with a pile of rocks sitting at the southern edge of the shelter forming a low wall. These rocks <br />range in size from 10 to 60 cm The wall is about 30 cm at its southern end next to the wall, and extends <br />for about three meters along the mouth of the cave Soil depth within the shelter is about five cm. The <br />wall and ceiling in the southern quarter exhibit dark smoke staining with red oxidation near the floor. <br />Charcoal pieces are scattered throughout the floor of the shelter particularly near the south wall, although <br />these pieces•do not appear to have been affected by weathering This may be a result of a recent ape <br />for the use of the cave or the charcoal may be well-preserved within this dry environment. Some juniper <br />and pinyon branches are piled near the oxidation marks on the southern wall. No artifacts were observed <br />in or around the shelter and its age and function are unknown - <br />The site consists of a low rock wall with a fire pit feature directly behind it with smoke stains on the <br />wall directly behind and above the hearth The feature was not defined identifiable only by the presence <br />of the soot stain and reddened sandstone as well as scattered charcoal. No artifacts were observed that <br />would help to determine the aae or function of the shelter and the sediment inside the shelter is no more <br />than five cm deep It is unknown if this site represents a historic camp or a more modern one; the <br />charcoal present is in good condition and unweathered although this could be a result of the sheltered <br />nature of the camp With the lack of artifacts as well as no potential for buried materials, the site lacks <br />research potential and is therefore recommended to be not eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. No further <br />work is recommended. <br />5. Historic Component Date(s) and/or Sociopolitical Period: Unknown historic <br />Justification: <br />6. Component Function(s): <br />Original Use: Sheltered camp <br />Present Use: Abandoned <br />Comments: <br />7. Ethnic Affiliation of occupants: Unknown historic <br />Justification: <br />Colorado Historical Society -Office of Archaeology 8~ Historic Preservation <br />1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 <br />303-866-3395 <br />