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i r <br /> 114TRODUCTION <br /> In July of 1996 Durango Archaeological Consultants(DAC)undertook a cultural <br /> resources assessment of the Gold Prince Mine 5SA3 and surrounding <br /> Colorado. The assessment was done for the Sunn side Gold C facilities near istori ton, <br /> y Corporation, so that the historic <br /> significance of the mine and surrounding facilities could be established, and this information <br /> integrated into plans for mine tailings reclamation work at the site. An archaeological assessment <br /> of the site area was requested by the Colorado Historical Society(letter dated May 22, 1996)in <br /> conjunction with the Colorado State Division of Geology and Mines to make sure that important <br /> historical resources were not impacted during the course of proposed reclamation <br /> estimate provided This <br /> evaluation was undertaken after a cost <br /> provided by DAC by letter dated July 4, 1996 <br /> was accepted by Sumnyside Gold Corporation under a purchase order dated July 12, 1996 <br /> (#28036). <br /> Sunnyside Gold Corporation provided DAC with a report of proposed mine tailings reclamation at the Gold Prince Mine. and map indicating <br /> the location <br /> south half of the site from the This wow to be focused on the <br /> tailings pond south to the mine portal. It was noted by Lang Perin <br /> of Sunnyside Gold Corporation,that it might be necessary to clean UP other <br /> tailings well. During the recording of this site efforts were made to identifyall at the site as <br /> indicate their location on the site tailings areas at the site, <br /> plan, and note any possible important cultural features located in <br /> their vicinity. <br /> The fieldwork portion of this project was conducted by Ross S. Curtis of DAC between <br /> July 18-23, 1996 under the conditions of Colorado State Antiquities Permit 96-22. The mine is <br /> located on private lands in Placer Gulch,northwest of Silverton Colorado. Lands close to the <br /> Gold Prince Mine(including the Sound Democrat Mill)are under the control of the U. S. Bureau <br /> of Land Management, San Juan Resource Area. BLM Archaeologist Christie <br /> Arrington an advisory capacity during the course of this study. served in <br /> EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENT <br /> Present Environment <br /> The Gold Prince Mine is located in Placer Gulch(formerly known as Mastadon Gulch in <br /> the San Juan Mountain north of Silverton, Colorado )'(Figures 1 & 2). The San Juan Mountains <br /> are one of the distinct ranges present at the southwest terminus of the Rocky Mountains. The San <br /> Juan Mountains are distinguished by Precipitous rugged mountains up to 14,000 feet in elevation, <br /> and deep cut valleys. Handies Peak at a little over 14,000 ft is the major peak in the area located <br /> east of Placer Gulch. Placer Gulch is a long wide valley flanked to the west by California <br /> Mountain(13184 ft)and Hanson Peak(13454 ft) . Treasure Mountain(12880 ft)forms the <br /> eastern boundary of the valley. The area is generally characterized by steep slopes,rough, <br /> rocky alpine co and <br /> untry. <br /> The mountains are comprised of Precambrian granites and schists,volcanic flows, and <br /> more recent metamorphic sandstones and shales. During the Pleistocene Period <br /> the mountains and modified the landsc glaciers covered <br /> Landscape. These glaciers are the origins of many of the large U- <br /> 1 <br />