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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Previous archaeological research in the general vicinity <br />of the Nucla Mine Study area has yielded a rich inventory of <br />archaeological sites (Copeland: 1978, 1979). Copeland (1978: <br />36) briefly summarized human occupation of the Naturita- <br />Nucla area in stating: <br />...it can be said that an extended use of <br />the area by a variety of peoples is evident. <br />The least understood and barely documented <br />are the Paleo- Indian traditions. Considerably <br />more apparent are sites which exhibit Archaic <br />manifestations though the majority cannot <br />or have not been placed, within a temporal <br />perspective at this time. Evidence for <br />Fremont and Anasazi occupation is well docu- <br />mented, but their use of the area is apparently <br />of a limited nature.* Navajo occupation is <br />seemingly apparent in the La Sal Mountains <br />and Utes are known to have occupied the entire <br />area at least during historic times; but <br />generally speaking, the evidence for these <br />peoples in an archaeological context is meager. <br />Euroamerican occupation was generally centered <br />on homesteading and mining with agriculture, <br />stock raising, mining and other geophysical <br />exploration activities dominating the region <br />at this time. <br />Sites 5MN1257 and 5MN1258 have been called aboriginal <br />open campsites (see Glossary) due to their artifact assem- <br />blages consisting of both ground and chipped stone; this <br />suggests that the site areas were inhabited by men, women, <br />and children. Manos and metates (see Glossary) are grinding <br />tools used by women of the group in food processing while <br />chipped stone indicates a hunting /butchering technology <br />employed by the men. No evidence of ceramics was found on <br />the site which might indicate that the site is preceramic <br />in age. No evidence of firepits or structural features was <br />found. <br />Site 5MN1258 did yield several cores and primary flakes <br />indicating the utilization of raw lithic (stone) materials <br />*The terms Archaic, Anasazi, Fremont and Paleo - Indian are found <br />in the Glossary. <br />11 <br />APR 9 i9$d <br />