Teton Reservior 2016 - Passport in Time
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Wyoming - BLM Rawlins FO
Closed! Teton Reservoir Site Mitigation, Part II
Stone circle with an intact hearth with Teton Reservoir in the background
WY-4308
August 8-12; 15-19, 2016
Must commit to one entire session; may participate in both
This project is a continuation of our award-winning, 2014 PIT project, during which we did scaled drawing of 40 stone circles along a ridge above the Teton Reservoir Recreation Area (TRRA), approximately 15 miles south of Rawlins. A number of sites on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and those eligible for placement are located adjacent to the TRRA, and include prehistoric and historic stone circles, camps, and resource processing areas. Because of the sites’ proximity to the recreation area, they have become vulnerable to damage from illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV), dirt bike use, and looting. At least two incidents occurred in the spring of 2015, where OHVs/dirt bikes were driven through several of the sites, and a hearth at one of the sites was looted sometime between late November of 2014, and early spring of 2015. This year’s project will mitigate further damage to the sites through data recovery: controlled excavation of features and their surrounds. These are made up primarily of hearths containing intact charcoal deposits, but may also contain roasting pits or other types of thermal features at six to eight of the sites. All of the sites have been previously recorded, with preliminary work done at most. However, final recording and mapping will be part of this year’s project, as will sample collection for radio carbon/AMS dating, and micro-and macro-botanical analysis. And, for those who are so inclined, there's fishing in Teton Reservoir, hiking on the nearby Continental Divide Trail, and rafting, canoeing, and world-class trout fishing on the North Platte River, 20 miles east of town. In addition, Rawlins has a museum and the old Frontier Penitentiary. So, come for the archaeology and help us protect and preserve the sites, stay for the outdoor fun the area has to offer! We hope to see you again this summer!
Number of openings: 32 (16 per session)
Special skills: Previous archaeological excavation, survey, site mapping, and/or feature/artifact identification experience is very helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 14 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Tent and small RV (i.e., pop-up) camping available at no charge at small TRRA campground; pit toilet, no potable water; open tent camping available on BLM land in the surrounding “checkerboard;” no amenities; Rawlins is a full-service community with hotels/motels, two RV parks, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; amenities and prices vary, and reservations are recommended; volunteers responsible for own lodging/personal camping equipment, food, water, and daily transportation to designated meeting areas
Nearest towns: Rawlins, ~15 miles
Applications due: Filled
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