archaeology on the green river
I spent the last week and a half doing archaeological work near the Green River in the area where Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming meet. It was a good project; we camped in Utah in the Browns Park area along the Green River and it’s an incredibly beautiful place. I was able to go swimming in the afternoons. There was a spot on the river where the channel split and one part slowed down and deepened. It was a great spot for swimming—pretty deep and really refreshing.
It is the first time I worked in archaeology for about a year and a half. It was enjoyable to do the work again. I was worried about my hand—I had hurt it earlier this spring working at the nursery—but it went just fine and I was really happy about that.
We worked on two different sites—one in Utah and one in Wyoming. The Utah site had eight hearths; seven of them were really deep, up to a meter, while one was a very shallow feature. Out of one of the deep hearths came a burned prickly pear pad which is really cool and something I’ve never seen in a prehistoric fire pit.
The other site in Wyoming was on a ridge overlooking Red Creek. The drainage flows through red sediment which colors the water; hence the name. A number of stone tools came out of that site and a feature or two.
The area is really beautiful. I’d like to go back just to backpack and camp. It would be really fun to spend some time just hiking around in the area. There are several canyons that would be great to explore and you could hike around from the Green River to the Yampa River.
The are is pretty interesting if you’re into old west history as well. Browns Park is the area that the Bassett sisters ranched in and several other historical folks frequented the valley. The sisters became involved in a range war with some big ranching barons and began rustling some of these companies’ cattle. The sisters and other residents of the valley also gave refuge to various outlaws including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It was a pretty remote place and it’s still a good distance from towns or cities. A famous black outlaw named Issom Dart also hung out in the area. He helped the Bassett sisters in their efforts against the cattle barons and was eventually assassinated by a man hired by the cattle barons to kill rustlers in the area. There are lots more historical stories about the area and there are some historic sites and at least one small museum/information center in the area.
It felt a bit strange to be working that job again and I have also felt a bit strange getting back home, although I was very excited to get back and be here with Jen. I guess I get into the rhythm of something and it makes me feel a bit out of sorts when that’s broken. The experience rekindled questions that often circulate in my head—questions about the future, about goals, about purpose, about a lot of things.
It is the first time I worked in archaeology for about a year and a half. It was enjoyable to do the work again. I was worried about my hand—I had hurt it earlier this spring working at the nursery—but it went just fine and I was really happy about that.
We worked on two different sites—one in Utah and one in Wyoming. The Utah site had eight hearths; seven of them were really deep, up to a meter, while one was a very shallow feature. Out of one of the deep hearths came a burned prickly pear pad which is really cool and something I’ve never seen in a prehistoric fire pit.
The other site in Wyoming was on a ridge overlooking Red Creek. The drainage flows through red sediment which colors the water; hence the name. A number of stone tools came out of that site and a feature or two.
The area is really beautiful. I’d like to go back just to backpack and camp. It would be really fun to spend some time just hiking around in the area. There are several canyons that would be great to explore and you could hike around from the Green River to the Yampa River.
The are is pretty interesting if you’re into old west history as well. Browns Park is the area that the Bassett sisters ranched in and several other historical folks frequented the valley. The sisters became involved in a range war with some big ranching barons and began rustling some of these companies’ cattle. The sisters and other residents of the valley also gave refuge to various outlaws including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It was a pretty remote place and it’s still a good distance from towns or cities. A famous black outlaw named Issom Dart also hung out in the area. He helped the Bassett sisters in their efforts against the cattle barons and was eventually assassinated by a man hired by the cattle barons to kill rustlers in the area. There are lots more historical stories about the area and there are some historic sites and at least one small museum/information center in the area.
It felt a bit strange to be working that job again and I have also felt a bit strange getting back home, although I was very excited to get back and be here with Jen. I guess I get into the rhythm of something and it makes me feel a bit out of sorts when that’s broken. The experience rekindled questions that often circulate in my head—questions about the future, about goals, about purpose, about a lot of things.
posted by matt iv at 8:48 AM
3 Comments:
I remember years and years ago when I was little that I went with your dad...somewhere...I can't remember where...and I found some arrowheads.
I like history. Especially ancient history.
Ben,
i was up in north dakota recently and spent a little time with my dad while he was on a trip to the western part of the state. we went to a spot on the missouri river--the very spot you are talking about! we both talked about you and that time that we went out there! do you remember finding a bone spatula? my dad and i remembered you finding it and you commenting that it looked like a popsicle stick. i don't know if we had been to that place since we went with....if we did return it was several years ago. that was a fun time.
I think I *do* remember that! That was really fun. I can't remember how old I was, though... I don't even know if I still have that bone. I should look.
Yeah, good times...
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