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'~ TFS'P E~(AVATI(~NS AT THE RIIJGE Si1~ (SGT771) , <br />DELTA CGUM'Y , CbLORADO <br />ABSTRAL'P <br />Steven G. Baker <br />Centuries Research, Inc. <br /> 7`}iis is the final report oi~ a test excavation program at the Ridge <br /> Site near Paonia, Colorado. The site is interpreted as a kill and <br /> butchering area within an aboriginal game drive system. This system <br /> utilized man-made stone alignments and natural topographic features to <br /> help in the killing of big game. Cultural materials were quite limited <br /> at the site but did provide an informative assemblage of butchering <br /> tools including a large percentage of flakes believed to have been <br /> utilized as meat knives. No indications for the date of construction <br /> and use of the drive system were found. There is a good possibility <br /> that the site was associated with nearby site SUT271 which was <br /> extensively investigated in 1986. SUP"271 has a late Ute crnQonent and <br /> it is likely that SDT771 is the result of camauial Ute elk hunting <br /> activity. The site was tested in order to evaluate it's eligibility for <br /> inclusion on the idational Register of historic Places. This was done <br /> because the site was within the initial area of undertaking for <br /> development of the west portal for Colorado Westm.~reland Inc.'s Orchard <br /> Valley Mire. The area of undertaking was subsequently revised and the <br /> site is now located outside the area and does not appear to be <br />• threatened by inq~acts from construction or operation of the new portal. <br /> The site was found to be very mall in size and lacking in subsurface <br /> integrity or further crontribution potential. The site is believed to be <br /> ineligible for the Register. Due to the rugged topography along the <br /> route of the game drive lire, it is possible that additional <br /> archaeological sites and architectural features may still be present and <br /> undiscovered. For this reason it is recacmended that an archaeological <br /> monitor be present in the event surface disturbing activity does take <br /> place along the ridge where the drive line is located. Except for this <br />. stipulation, it is recoimiended that cultural resource clearance be <br />_ granteKl for the west portal development. <br />• <br />ii <br />