A Comparison of the Lithic Assemblages from the Shavano Springs site (5MN40) and Christmas Rock Shelter (5DT2), Western Colorado

Summary

Archaeologists have long struggled to identify archaeological material diagnostic of prehistoric and protohistoric Ute occupation in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas. Despite continued efforts, researchers continue to rely principally on William Buckles’ (1971) seminal work examining Ute cultural continuity on the Uncompahgre Plateau of western Colorado. My research expands on Buckles’ 45 year-old dissertation by re-examining two excavated sites from his project: the open occupation Shavano Springs site (5MN40) and Christmas Rock Shelter (5DT2). Together, the two sites chronologically encompass the Paleoindian period through historic times. I will compare the lithic procurement and production strategies through time and between the two sites, for levels of comparable antiquity, to characterize the degree of continuity or lack thereof. My results identify aspects of lithic technology unique to prehistoric and protohistoric Ute and provide researchers with new tools for evaluating the cultural affiliation of prospective Ute sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16912