Appraisal of the Archeological Resources of the Big Sandy Reservoir Sublette and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming

Author(s): George Metcalf; Frank H. Roberts, Jr.

Year: 1952

Summary

The present appraisal of the archeological resources of the Big Sandy Reservoir is the result of a five-day survey(May 20-24)of the area by two men, George Metcalf and Lee Madison, who were loaned temporarily from the Missouri Basin Project to make the investigations. The purpose of the survey, which was made at the request of the National Park Service, was to determine to what extent archeological remains occur in and near the reservoir area and whether such materials are likely

to be destroyed or damaged as a result of the construction of the dam and related works. Since it is impossible, even if it were desirable, to excavate all of the sites in the area, an appraisal of their relative importance has been made on the basis of the scanty data furnished by this reconnaissance. Investigations in the Big Sandy Reservoir were confined to surface surveys with some test pitting at the more promising sites. No previous work has been done within the area nor in the immediate locality and local collectors seem to be unaware that sites are present.

Fifteen sites, twelve of which lie within the reservoir, were recorded by the survey party. Outside the reservoir, one site (Finley) was recorded in Sweetwater County and two (Sublette Flats 1 and 2) in Sublette County. Of the 12 sites recorded in the Big Sandy Reservoir basin, 11 are classified as occupational areas and one as a burial site. Two sites are situated above the 6763-foot contour and will not be inundated or damaged by wave action. Although one burial site has been reported, the burial was not seen by the survey personnel. It was reported by several persons who had seen it, among them a workman who had helped remove the human bones from the spot where they were found. This site has since been destroyed by construction activities. Only three of the sites discovered are recommended for

investigation. So far as the others are concerned equally representative examples are present outside of the area to be flooded. The three where some salvage work should be done are described below (48SW4, 48SU4, 48SU5).

Cite this Record

Appraisal of the Archeological Resources of the Big Sandy Reservoir Sublette and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming. George Metcalf, Frank H. Roberts, Jr.. 1952 ( tDAR id: 40462) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8CZ398F

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

Material
Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Dating Sample • Fire Cracked Rock • Ground Stone

Site Name
48SU1 • 48SU2 • 48SU3 • 48SU4 • 48SU5 • 48SU6 • 48SU7 • 48SU8 • 48SU9 • 48SW1 • 48SW2 • 48SW3 • 48SW4 • 48SW5 • 48SW6 • N8SU4

Site Type
Hearth • Reservoir

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Collections Research • Reconnaissance / Survey • Site Evaluation / Testing

General
Archaeological Resources • Archeological Resources • Blades • Bureau of Reclamation • Burned Stone • Campsites • Charcoal • Choppers • Cores • Finley Site • Firecracked Rock • Lithic Concentration • Lithic Procurement Site • Lithic Scatter • Local Collections • Manos • Metates • Occupation Sites • Pottery Sherds • Private Collection • Projectile Points • Retouched Flakes • Spalls

Geographic Keywords
56035 (Fips Code) • 56037 (Fips Code) • Desert • Eden Valley • Great Basin • Great Plains • North America (Continent) • Sagebrush Grass Zone • Southwestern Wyoming • Sublette (County) • Sweetwater (County) • United States of America (Country) • Wind River Mountains • Wyoming (State / Territory)

Spatial Coverage

min long: -110.624; min lat: 40.997 ; max long: -107.504; max lat: 43.465 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Anne Vawser

Sponsor(s): Smithsonian Institution; National Parks Service, Interagency Archaeological Services

Prepared By(s): SI, River Basin Surveys, Unknown Location

Record Identifiers

NADB document id number(s): 900140

NADB citation id number(s): 000000111453

Notes

General Note: Sent from: SI, River Basin Surveys, Unknown Location

General Note: Submitted to: NPS, IAS, Unknown Location

File Information

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Appraisal_Big-Sandy-Reservoir--WY_1952_OCR.pdf 829.89kb Mar 24, 2015 Mar 24, 2015 11:22:27 AM Confidential

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Contact(s): Anne Vawser